‘Peter Pan effect’ at Zoo’s late nights
Thursday 9 June 2011
Extra zookeepers have been drafted in to work at London Zoo’s late night openings in June and July to keep an eye on the big kids coming out to play.
Zoo bosses were expecting crowds at the bars and barbecues during the adults-only Zoo Lates, but didn’t anticipate the hordes of grown-ups nurturing their inner child at the children’s zoo and nearby adventure playground.
One overenthusiastic reveller even had to be ‘rescued’ (translation: pulled out by the ankles) from a kiddies’ viewing bubble in the meerkat enclosure when his larger-than-child-sized behind got stuck in a tiny tunnel.
Zoo Lates organiser Sarah Barron said: “We’d stocked up on beer and burgers, but now we’re having to bring in a bouncy castle and extra face painters to satisfy demand from the big kids.
She added: “We’ll also have staff poised to ‘rescue’ people from any tight spots designed for children – as it turns out everyone wants a go when there are no kids around!”
Last Friday was the first of the Zoo’s late night openings, and the over-18s crowd took the opportunity to revert back to their childhood days – making the most of the carousel and climbing frames and keeping the face painters busy all night.
Zoo Director Rich Storton said: “Coming to the Zoo seems to bring out the Peter Pan in people!”
Tickets are still available for Zoo Lates, which are being held every Friday night in June and July, and can be bought online with a 10 per cent discount at www.zsl.org/zoolates.
