ST. LOUIS — Perhaps bringing the animals closer than ever, the St. Louis Zoo opened the Wild Explorer virtual reality theater in early July.

Participants take in a 360-degree view of animal habitats from around the world while sitting in motion-platform pods, according to the Saint Louis Zoo.

It opened with two films, “the Great Migration” and “Gorilla Trek.”

In the “Gorilla Trek” film, fans feel steps of a silverback gorilla wandering the rainforest. They see views of endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. A primatologist narrates the live-action virtual journey.

For “the Great Migration,” participants enjoy over two million animals including zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles traveling between Tanzania’s Serenget and Kenya’s Maasai Mara reserves. Throughout the treacherous trip the herd encounters lions, cheetahs and crocodiles.

Members may get in for around $5.95, non-members for $7.95. Click here to pick up tickets on their website.