ZOO OPENING TIMES
We are open every day of the year, including Christmas Day, from 9am until:
| 6.00pm | April - September |
| 5.00pm | October & March |
| 4.30pm | November - February |
2009 Events
Find out what's happening
at the Zoo in 2009.
Events include owl flights,
wildlife lectures, quiz nights and
a wine tasting.
Lesson Programme
Rainforest 1 hour
Nursery-P3
An introduction to forests and forest animals at the Zoo. This lesson mainly takes place out in the Zoo giving the pupils opportunity to discover and observe animals from a forest habitat.
Ecosystems 2 hours
S1-S6
Students explore the principle components of ecosystems by focusing on the Budongo Forest in Uganda, where chimpanzees make thier home.
Rainforest Explorers 2 hours
P3-P7
Experience the sounds, smells and sights of the rainforest while learning about their location, structure and biodiversity.
Animal Care 1 hour
P1-P3
An introduction to the care and needs of animals. Focusing on cats we consider cats in the home, in the zoo and in the wild. We look at the responsibilities of humans for animal care and the environment.
Endangered Animals up to 2 hours
P3-P7
This interactive and hands-on session enables pupils to examine the issues using 'evidence' affecting wildlife and habitats both locally and globally.
Zoos and Conservation 2 hours
P7-S6
An overview of the role of modern zoos as centres for conservation. Pupils work in groups to solve dilemmas that zoo and conservation workers face regularly.
Fur, Feathers, Skin and Scales 1 hour
Nursery-P3
An interactive hands-on introduction to sorting and grouping observing similarities and differences, the basis of animal classification.
Variety of Life 1.5 hours
P3-P7
Pupils investigate and discover the diversity of vertebrate animals (mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish) through close observation and handling.
Classification 2 hours
S1-S6
This lesson is designed to enable pupils to investigate and discuss the scientific classification of vertebrates and invertebrates using both observable and biological characteristics.
Simple Life Cycles 1.5 hours
P3-P4
The lesson is designed to enable pupils to identify stages of development from birth to adult in a variety of animals and begin to relate that to themselves.
Cycle of Life 2 hours
P6-P7
An introduction to reproduction, growth and development. This lesson looks at the changes that take place in animals as they develop sexual maturity. This session is designed to enable teachers to follow up, back at school, with human reproduction, health and society issues.
Diet and Food Chains 1.5 hour
P3-P7
This lesson is designed to enable development of knowledge and understanding of the interconnections between species.
Bone Detectives 1.5 hours
P5-P7
An exciting investigative approach to looking at animal skeletons using scientific enquiry and mathematical skills to predict, measure and evaluate.
Skulls, Teeth and Diet 2 hours
S1-S6
The lesson is designed to expand and build upon basic teeth and diet knowledge and understanding.
Penguins 1 hour
Nursery-P3
Find out about penguin features such as body shape, size, habitat, life cycle and adaptations.
Adaptations 2 hours
S1-S6
Covering a host of animal adaptations including mimicry and cryptic colouration; adaptations to the physical environment and ways in which animals have adapted through behaviour and physiology to avoid inter - and intra-specific competition.
Primates 1 hour
Nursery-P3
Pupils discover through observation and discussion the similarities and differences between themselves and primates such as monkeys and apes.
Senses 1 hour
P1-P3
Through close observation and handling, the pupils discover and investigate the five senses and how both they and animals use them to survive.
Primate Behaviour and Research 2.5 hours
S5-S6
Focusing upon developing an understanding of primates, their diversity and social structures and methods of recording observable data. Students are given an opportunity to conduct an introductory small-scale primate behaviour study.
Evolution 2 hours
S1-S6
We challenge pupils to investigate and question the evidence of evolution by natural selection and to closely examine some of issues using biofacts such as skulls and skeletons.