What is the minimum age for participants?

Children must be at least 5 years old; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

How many people are in a group?

Group size is limited to six people to ensure low-stress, personalized encounters.

Can I reschedule or cancel?

Bookings can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before with no fee; after that a $25 rescheduling fee applies and refunds are not offered for cancellations.

Are feeding buckets included?

Feed buckets for the barnyard are available for purchase on site for $10 each.

Wear closed-toe shoes (no Crocs) and season-appropriate clothing; avoid strong perfumes or loose items that could distract animals.

Is the experience outdoors?

The tour includes outdoor and covered areas; encounters may be adjusted or canceled for severe weather to protect animals.

Private Capybara & Sloth Encounter at Scatter Joy Acres near Murray, NE | Private | Zoo

At Scatter Joy Acres, a tidy education farm just off Waverly Road in Murray, Nebraska, a private hour-long encounter titled “Coastal Calm: Capybara & Sloth Private Encounter” delivers an unusual close-up with animals most people only see behind glass. Located at 4107 Waverly Rd Murray, NE 68409, the program is an intimate, six-person experience led by trained zookeepers who guide visitors through ambassador behaviors, species adaptations, and everyday care routines.

The scene alternates between gentle rhythms and surprising energy: the capybara’s placid social mannerisms—rooted in South American wetland ecology—contrast with the playful otter demonstrations, while a slow-moving sloth offers a lesson in arboreal specialization. Visitors move from enclosures that mimic tropical understory to a sunlit barnyard where llamas, goats, and farm friends provide hands-on moments. The property’s key features include the capybara and sloth ambassador stations, an otter viewing area, and a barnyard feed zone where grain buckets are available for purchase.

What makes this encounter stand out in eastern Nebraska is its blend of species that span continents and ecosystems. Capybaras bring an aquatic grassland story; sloths carry tropical canopy narratives; kangaroos and bushbabies introduce unexpected global diversity on a single small acreage. The program is educational by design: each hour follows a clear itinerary—arrival and check-in, an overview, a guided tour, hands-on exploration, a Q&A, and a wrap-up—so guests leave with facts and photos as well as a better sense of animal welfare and stewardship.

Practical details matter. Children must be at least five years old and anyone under 18 needs a paying adult; all participants must purchase admission. Group size is limited to six to reduce stress on animals and maximize interaction. Weather can change plans; the operator allows rescheduling up to 24 hours before without penalty.

This encounter is a meaningful option for families, wildlife lovers, or travelers who want a tactile, educational pause between road trips. Because the experience supports animal care and conservation messaging, it’s more than a photo op—it’s a short course in species biology, captive care, and responsible interaction. After the hour you can explore the rest of the acres at your own pace, visiting porcupines, otters, and barnyard residents. If you’re seeking a local attraction that pairs close animal encounters with thoughtful interpretation, “Coastal Calm: Capybara & Sloth Private Encounter” at Scatter Joy Acres on Waverly Rd near Murray provides a rare, low-stress way to meet some of nature’s stranger companions.

Book easily online; the program can be gifted to an animal lover, ideal for repeat visits as ambassadors rotate. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to check in, wear closed-toe shoes (no Crocs), and expect a safety orientation; follow staff guidance to keep interactions calm and safe for animals and guests.