Our first activity was to Meet the Animals where the children could all stroke and hold a corn snake and stroke a bearded dragon if they wanted too. There was also an elderly tarantula to look closely at. The children asked lots of great questions and enjoyed the experience.
Then we headed off to feed the meerkats, who were very appreciative of getting some wriggly mealworms. Ahead were the flamingoes, and we were able to walk through their enclosure and try standing on one leg, just as they did.
Next we entered the Reptile house, where the children were most impressed by the huge pythons and the alligators. They worked out that reptiles prefer a hot sandy or rocky habitat.
After that we entered the Tropical house, which was hot and had a wonderful range of birds flying all around us. The children gradually learned to look up and all around so as not to miss anything. “It’s just like being in the jungle!” they announced. As we left, some of them were brave enough to creep into the dark bat cave and see the bats flying and roosting.
The goats were next on the agenda and enjoyed their food, fed by lots of eager little hands. We also saw the wallabies, reindeer, lions, jaguars, caracal and tapirs.
Dragging the children past the playground, we zoomed across the park to the otters, who were noisily demanding their lunch! We listened very quietly to a short talk and watched the keepers demonstrating the touch training, where the otters had to touch their nose or paws to the end of a long stick (for health reasons) in return for a tasty fish. Twirling on demand was also demonstrated. Then we all applauded their efforts, asked a few questions and thanked the keepers. At last it was lunch time!
After lunch, we noticed the lemur walk through was open, but sadly the cold weather had driven them indoors, so we headed for the penguin feeding. By then it was extremely cold and windy, but the children listened carefully to the talk and asked several good questions at the end.
Charging round the playground warmed the class up and then it was finally time to view the animatronic dinosaur models. The children were able to identify lots of them and were very excited, although a few kept checking that the dinosaurs were really only models, as the sound effects were very realistic and a little scary! They were all engaged by the fossil sandpit dig, with several of them declaring an intent to become paleontologists when they grew up!
After posing for the camera and another warm-up session in the playground, it was time for the tiger feeding, where the tigers stood up on their hind legs and gave a good show. Lots of questions arose about the horse meat the tigers were fed with!
For a final activity, we looked at the chimpanzees. Climbing the stairs to look down on their indoor enclosure, the children were amazed by a female carrying a tiny infant, who monkey-barred across the ceiling to examine her latest visitors. As the children blew kisses, stuck their tongues out ( as suggested by Mrs O. ) and thought of other things to try, the chimp mother imitated them, much to their delight. Then a male came over and joined the fun, demonstrating an active interest in copying all the actions the children made. Clara seemed to particularly interest them! Meanwhile the female took her infant away for a nap after sending it down the slide! The children could hardly bear to leave their new friends but it was time to return to school.
It was a fantastic, if chilly, day out and everyone had a great time. Mrs O.