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Is the Origin of the Species from Adam or the Ape?

27 August 2008

As part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s commitment to education and the Darwin200 celebrations, Edinburgh Zoo will be hosting an evening on the theory of evolution.

The talk entitled ‘Evolution versus Intelligent Design’ will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 4 September in the Budongo Trail of Edinburgh Zoo. In this talk, Stuart Ritchie, President of the University of Edinburgh Humanist Society, will explain what evolution is, what it isn’t, and will debate the theories of creationism and ‘intelligent design’.

This talk is part of a national programme of events which the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is taking part in to celebrate Charles Darwin’s scientific ideas and their impact around his two hundredth birthday.

Stephen Woollard, Education and Interpretation Manager at RZSS said:

“We are delighted to be taking part in Darwin200 and we encourage visitors to come along to engage and learn more about Charles Darwin’s provocative scientific theories.

This event is taking place in a fitting location of the lecture theatre of Edinburgh Zoo’s new state-of-the-art chimpanzee enclosure, Budongo Trail. This is an ideal setting for a discussion on evolution as within this exhibit, visitors can learn more about our chimpanzees and their 98% DNA similarity to humans.”

Advanced booking is essential for this event. To find out more information or to book a place please visit edinburghzoo.org.uk or call 0131 314 0350.

Editor’s Notes

    

About Darwin200

• Darwin200 was launched by the National History Museum and is a national programme of events celebrating Charles Darwin’s scientific ideas and their impact around his two hundredth birthday on 12 February 2009.

• The celebrations span over two additional Darwin anniversaries – 150 years since Darwin and Wallace announced the theory that rocked science and society on 1 July 2008, and 150 years since On the Origin of Species was published on 24 November 2009.

• Advance booking essential -  telephone 0131 314 0350 or visit edinburghzoo.org.uk

•  Cost £4.50, Members £4.00

About Education at Edinburgh Zoo

• The Education Centre at the Zoo opened in 1976 and has achieved success by not only focusing on educational activities in a classroom setting, but on making the most of the open, interactive and stimulating environment of the Zoo surroundings.

• The Zoo’s education programme focuses on the importance of living animals, and also includes topics on sustainability, conservation, zoology and other environmental issues.

• The Zoo also offers outreach programmes for children from schools in deprived areas, a Science Summer School for budding scientists and an autumn session focusing on sustainability.

About Edinburgh Zoo

• Edinburgh Zoo is owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a registered charity, charity no SC004064.

• RZSS was founded by visionary lawyer Thomas Gillespie. The Society was set up ‘to promote, facilitate and encourage the study of zoology and kindred subjects and to foster and develop amongst the people an interest in and knowledge of animal life’.

• Edinburgh Zoo welcomes over 650,000 visitors a year, and is one of Scotland’s top paid tourist attractions. 
 

Edinburgh Zoo is owned by The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, registered charity number SC 004064
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, EH12 6TS, t: 0131 334 9171, f: 0131 314 0384 info@rzss.org.uk