WEST PALM BEACH — At the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, animal encounters don’t mean cuddles or petting — they mean curiosity, connection and conservation. The zoo’s experiences are purposefully hands-off (with one very lovable tortoise exception), designed to be educational for guests and enriching for the animals.
“We go at the animals’ pace,” said Mike Terrell, Curator of Animal Experiences. “It’s all about what they want — not what we want.”
That mission was crystal clear as I met Chelle (pronounced “Shelley”), one of the zoo’s beloved Giant Aldabra Tortoises. Before we approached, Terrell explained he would first ask Chelle if she was interested in interacting — and she quickly let us know she was…