Pre-visit information for Primary School teachers Thank you for booking your visit to ZSL Whipsnade

This resource is designed to give you all the information you need for your visit and is structured into the following sections:

1. Before your visit – a checklist to ensure you are prepared for your day

2. How to get to the Zoo – arriving by coach

3. On the day of your visit

4. Information to help prepare your students

5. After your visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

If you have any queries about your visit please do not hesitate to contact our Supporter Services team on 0344 225 1826

Or email the Learning department on [email protected] 1. Before your visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Have you: Received your confirmation letter from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo? Print this to bring with you on the day

Booked your education workshop to give students the opportunity to see, touch and explore with a Learning Officer https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/education-sessions

Used the visitors’ map to plan your route around the Zoo https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/visitor-information/map-of-zsl-whipsnade-zoo

Planned which free talks and shows to attend on the day www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/planning-your-visit/daily-events/

Printed free activity sheets you could use with your class https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/online-resources

Checked out the information for your risk assessment https://www.zsl.org/education/risk-assessment 2. Getting to the Zoo – arriving by coach

Only 20 minutes from the M25 (junction 21), ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is signposted from the M1 (junction 9 and junction 12) and all major roads - just follow the elephant on the below map. Coach parking Coach parking is free for schools during term- time.

Coach entry Coaches are not able to enter ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, however a free Safari Bus provides transport once visitors are inside the Park.

Coach driver benefits Coach drivers accompanying a group to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo are eligible for free entry into the Zoo and a meal voucher. 3. On the day of your visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

• You will be greeted on arrival to the Zoo by a member of the Learning team. Please check in with them with your school name, numbers and any activities you are planned to do on the day.

• Payment (if not prepaid) and emergency contact details will be taken on the day by our admissions team

• You are welcome to bring packed lunches with you, or there are various catering outlets throughout the Zoo where you can buy lunch www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/visitor-information/food-and-drink

• The first aid point is the First Aid post at the main office. If any students get lost, please alert a staff member

• Supervision ratios – We want everyone to enjoy their visit to the Zoo. To ensure good supervision during the day one adult is admitted free for every 6 primary pupils. It is a condition of the entry costs for schools visits that all school groups must be supervised throughout their trip. 4. Helping your students prepare for their visit

This section is designed to help your students prepare for their visit. It covers:

A. When you arrive at the Zoo B. Places to see in the Zoo C. A session with a Learning Officer D. Free talks and demonstrations to see E. Some extra information F. When you leave the Zoo

If you choose to display this pdf in viewing mode in a presentation to your students, please refer to the pages that are relevant to your visit. A. When you arrive at the Zoo

You will enter ZSL Whipsnade Zoo through the Visitor Centre B. Places around the Zoo

ZSL stands for the Zoological Society of London – the conservation charity which runs our Zoo. At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, we have over 200 different kinds of animal for you to see! Rock www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/cheetah-rock/

The Cheetah doesn’t not roar like other Cheetah conservation has been a major big cats, and tigers. Instead it focus for ZSL since 1991. In gently purrs and even makes sounds we have been carrying out the longest similar to chirping to communicate to running in depth study of a wild cheetah others. population. African Hunting Dogs https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/african-hunting-dogs

The sisters joined us from ZSL and hope to form a new conservation breeding group in the future, as part of the European Endangered Species Programme Rhinos of www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/rhinos-of-nepal/rhinos-of-nepal,58,PS.html

There are only 2500 greater one-horned rhino left in the wild. ZSL is working with people in Nepal to keep this number increasing. In with the Lemurs www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/in-with-the-lemurs/

Did you know a group of lemurs is called a troop?

The troop is made up of nine individuals of males and females. The ages range from 4 year olds to 12 year olds. Asian Elephants www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/elephants/ ZSL and the Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) have been working in western Thailand tackling human- elephant conflict, restoring the forest ecosystem, and helping local villagers to develop jobs that do not harm the forest. Amur Tigers www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/tigers/ Lions of the www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/lions-of-the-serengeti/

Experience the sights and sounds of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park on your way to the enclosure. Chimpnasium www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/chimpnasium/

Our chimpanzees, like Elvis here, eat fruit, nuts, meat and specially-made pellets. Their food is scattered in the grass to encourage foraging behaviour. Vitamins and minerals are given to them in drinks, like a herbal tea!

ZSL researches forest conservation to help protect chimpanzees in the wild. Reticulated Giraffes http://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/giraffes/

Our giraffe exhibit has a special tall platform, so you can see these beautiful animals eye-to-eye!

Did you know, giraffes have the same number of neck bones as humans? We both have seven bones in our necks – but theirs are much bigger! Grevy zebras

www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/zebras/

Grevy’s zebras have much narrower stripes than the other two zebras species, and can live on grasses which are too tough for cattle to eat.

We breed Grevy’s zebras at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo as part of a European Endangered Species Programme, and have successfully had over 25 foals born over the years!

The Grevy's zebra is an EDGE species, but what is EDGE? www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=82 Common & Pygmy Hippos www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/hippos/

Come and see our two hippo species.

They are more closely related to whales and dolphins that any other mammal!

Common Hippo Pygmy Hippo Butterfly House and aquarium https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/exhibits/butterfly-house

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s Butterfly House is one of the largest butterfly biomes of any UK Zoo.

Check out the camouflage of the Indian Leaf Butterfly and the teeth our Dwarf Crocodiles in our Butterfly House. Jumbo Express https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/visitor-information/jumbo-express

Take a ride on our steam engine through the habitats of some of our animals!

STUDENTS GO FREE! Teachers are £4.50 each

The Jumbo Express has restricted running hours during the year so please check the website to make sure it is available on the day of your visit

School groups of over 40 pupils must pre-book

Groups of less than 40 pupils can book tickets on the day at the gate. C. A session with a Learning Officer

You may have the chance to meet one of our Learning staff for a workshop. These can be inside our Learning spaces or outside in the Zoo

These are interactive and hands-on: you may get to touch real objects from the natural world or even meet a live animal. www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/schools/education-sessions/ D. Free talks and events

www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/planning-your-visit/daily-events/

There are lots of talks and events happening around the Zoo you may wish to see. Check out the Elephant talk or the Birds of the World display show. E. Some extra information

Eating lunch

If it is sunny you can eat your lunch outside on the grass. If it is not so warm you can eat lunch in one of the covered areas around the Zoo

Remember to put your litter into a bin – or even better, a recycling bin!

At the Zoo we recycle everything we can – only 1% of our waste ends up as landfill. Dress for the day At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo there can be a range of weather, even on one day.

Make sure you bring warm clothing, proper footwear and waterproof coats so you can enjoy the zoo. On hot days make sure you have sunscreen! When you are visiting the animals

Our animals are fed special, To see the animals behaving balanced diets. Make sure naturally, it’s great when they don’t get any extra food visitors are very quiet so the from visitors as it can harm animals don’t feel scared. them. In case of emergencies

Please stay with your adult during your visit. If you get separated, approach a staff member (wearing green or blue) or a volunteer (wearing red) to help you find your group.

You can also go to the First Aid post

First Aid is in the main office building F. When you leave the Zoo

At the end of the day it’ll be time to go – take lots of photos to remember what you saw, and come back soon! 4. After your visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

• We greatly appreciate any feedback from teachers, so please fill out the online questionnaire at: https://www.zsl.org/education/schools- feedback • For your next visit, make sure you check out the ZSL What’s On calendar www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/whats-on/

• If you need to get in touch, email us at [email protected]

• If you would like to keep up to date with learning news and events at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, make sure you sign up to receive the ZSL education e-news at www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/schools/sign-up-for-emails