TAMPA, Fla. – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has rolled out new animal encounters this summer.

• Busch Gardens offering up-close encounters with sloths and rhinos
• The new animal experiences take visitors behind the scenes
• The tours start at $59.99 per person; Reservations encouraged

Visitors can now go behind-the-scenes and get an up-close look at the park's sloths and rhinos.

With the sloth encounter, visitors will get a 30-minute tour where they'll learn about the animal's unique diet and help the keepers feed one.  The 45-minute rhino encounter will take visitors on an off-road tour across the park's 65-acre grassland area where they'll meet an endangered black rhino. Visitors will also learn about conservation efforts to protect rhinos in the wild.

Prices for the two new tours start at $59.99 per person.

Busch Gardens offers 10 other animal tours, including penguins, tigers, elephants and gorillas.

Space is limited for all tours, so reservations are encouraged.

For more information about the animal encounters, call 813-884-4386 or visit buschgardenstampabay.com.