Summer holiday activities for families at Bristol Zoo Gardens

Ever wondered what gorilla facial expressions really mean, or what can be found in fruit bat poo? Visitors to Bristol Zoo can find out this summer, by joining in with a host of school holiday activities for kids this month.

Families can take part in games such as ‘Whose poo?’ and ‘Pollination for the nation’, all of which help them to discoverthe important roles of biodiversity. There are also a host of animal-themed games, crafts and learning through play, all within the Zoo’s Conservation Education Centre.

The activities form part of a series of events at Bristol Zoo this year, to highlight the importance of conserving the variety of life on our planet, as part of the international Year of Biodiversity.

Dave Naish, Education Manager at Bristol Zoo, said: “It’s important for families to have the opportunity to find out about biodiversity and the impact it has on the world. We hope our summer activities offer the chance for children to learn more about this important subject in a fun and relaxed environment, as part of an exciting day out at the Zoo.”

The Zoo’s summer activities run alongside its daily animal talks, Animal Encounters sessions, face-painting, Amazing Animals displays on the main lawn, and the interactive Zoolympics trail.

The Zoo’s aerial adventure ropes course, ZooRopia, is also open every day throughout the summer holidays. The course gives visitors the chance to swing alongside some of the Zoo’s most popular inhabitants – gibbons, gorillas and lemurs (charges and restrictions apply).

Bristol Zoo’s summer activities are free with Zoo entry and take place Monday to Friday, 10.30am - 4.30pm, until Friday, August 27, in the Zoo’s Conservation Education Centre.

For more information about Bristol Zoo, visit the website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk or phone 0117 974 7300.

ENDS

For press enquiries please contact the Bristol Zoo Gardens press office:

Lucy Parkinson, T: 0117 974 7306, E: lparkinson@bristolzoo.org.uk

Vanessa Hollier, T: 0117 974 7309, E: vhollier@bristolzoo.org.uk

Notes to the Editor

BristolZoo Gardens

• Bristol Zoo Gardens is an education and conservation charity and relies on the income from visitors to support its work. 
• 2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) by the United Nations, which is warning that the ongoing loss of species around the world is affecting human well-being.
• Biodiversity is ‘The variety of life on Earth’
• Throughout 2010 Bristol Zoo will be running a series of events to highlight the importance of conserving the world’s biodiversity, as part of the international Year of Biodiversity. For more information visit the Zoo website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/conservation/campaigns/iyob
• The Year of Biodiversity campaign sees organisations across the globe working together to highlight the importance of conserving the world’s richly varied flora and fauna.
• To find out more about the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity visit the website at www.biodiversityislife.net
• Bristol Zoo is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day. 
• The Zoo is involved with more than 100 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species. 
• Itemploys 140 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work. 
• BristolZoo Gardenssupports – through finance and skill sharing – 15 projects in the UK and abroad that conserveand protectsome of the world’s most endangered species.
• BristolZoo Gardensis a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.