ZSL London Zoo taken over…by kids!
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Swapping their school desks for animal dens, primary school students who inspired the design ideas for ZSL London Zoo’s new children’s zoo have been called upon once again – this time to take over...
© ZSL - PH
Armed with a broom and kitted out in a miniature keeper uniform and wellies (of course), the 10 pint-sized keepers were put in charge of feeding the lemurs, cleaning the penguin pool, preparing pigs’ dinners, and sweeping the giraffe paddock.
The youngsters, aged 7-10, were looking after the animals so they can use the experience to help the grown-up zookeepers with the finishing touches to Animal Adventure, the zoo’s brand new £2.3m children’s zoo exhibit.
Zookeeper Mark Habben said: 'The kids’ experiences as zookeepers will help us see the new exhibit through children’s eyes. We want children to experience all aspects of the animal kingdom when Animal Adventure opens, from petting to poo!'
ZSL London Zoo was the first to open a children’s zoo in 1938 and, keeping up its record of firsts, Animal Adventure is the first children’s zoo to be designed by children for children.
Pupils from local schools, including our junior keepers for a day, brainstormed with zoo bosses to come up with ideas for the new exhibit.
Opening on Friday 3rd April, Animal Adventure is ZSL London Zoo’s flagship exhibit for 2009, providing children with the chance to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, smells and experiences of life in the animal kingdom.
Even more family fun!
Animal Adventure, our new Children's Zoo is now open.
Aardvarks look forward to their new ‘Animal Adventure’
