Armadillos, Lizards, Tortoises, And Other Animals Will Be Placed At Philadelphia International Airport to Connect Travelers With Wildlife from Across the Globe

A passenger favorite is making a comeback at the Philadelphia International Airport. A program from the city’s zoo will bring back armadillos, lizards, and tortoises.

The monthly program that educated people about the different types of critters was suspended in 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The airport events are a reflection of the city, and having Philadelphia Zoo, one of the city’s greatest attractions, bring in live animals is an amazing and memorable experience for our passengers,” Philadelphia International Airport director of guest experience Leah Douglas told T+L. “It’s always fun seeing people’s expressions because it’s so unexpected and delightful.”

Among the list of animals visiting the airport are a 24-year-old, 3-banded armadillo named Camilla, Rhonda, a 36-year-old tortoise, or Bili, a 23-year-old prehensile-tailed lizard, as well as others.

Happy #VisitTheZooDay! We are lucky to have the zoo visit us once a month at #PHLAirport. When you are in Philly, you can check out America's first zoo. Learn more about visiting the Philly Zoo: https://t.co/KJG2ixvvgZ pic.twitter.com/CTxqvnJXBP

— PHLAirport (@PHLAirport) December 27, 2022

The zoo’s education team said that “they’ve had dozens of amazing encounters with travelers who thank them for being there, like a family traveling from the United Kingdom who said learning about the animals made their long layover worth it, [and] to Philly natives who say they haven’t been to the zoo in years and feel it is time for them to go back.”

Travelers can partake in the animal experience by going to the airport’s stage across from the food court between terminals B and C. The program is scheduled for the winter and spring.

San Francisco also has a similar program called “Wag Brigade,” which features therapy-trained animals like dogs, pigs, and a giant rabbit named Alex.