The Royal Zoological Society of South Australia owns and operates the two South Australian Zoos – Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Zoo: also known as Zoos SA. The Society is committed to Conservation Education as one of its prime objectives.

Tertiary staff and students currently use the two Zoos as educational resources for meeting a variety of needs.

Range of uses:

• research scientists and their honours or Ph.D. graduate students undertaking major projects at the sites
• university graduate students undertaking major research projects on-site or off-site under the supervision of Zoos SA scientists
• undergraduate students undertaking work placement eg. in Education, Animal management, Veterinary Science, Veterinary Nursing, Ecotourism & Marketing.
• undergraduate students doing behavioural studies, surveys or other projects over an extended period of time (see multiple visits)
• undergraduate students on a one day visit who require extra input from Zoo staff (see supported one day visits)
• undergraduate students on a one day visit requiring no extra input from Zoo staff (see unsupported one day visits)

eg. in Education, Animal management, Veterinary Science / Nursing, Ecotourism, Marketing.

Work placement of undergraduates must be negotiated individually between the student and the relevant Zoos SA staff members. Work Placements are undertaken subject to completion of formal work placement agreement contracts, covering obligations of all parties and accident insurance.

Undergraduate students undertaking Behavioural studies, surveys, or other projects over an extended period of time (many visits), with no additional staff input.  These visits must be negotiated with Zoos SA EDUCATION STAFF at both sites

• University staff make a booking through Zoo Education for their students to undertake such projects.
• Education staff will negotiate the scope of the program with curatorial and other Park staff and will provide a specific set of protocols which must be followed while the student is in the Zoo.
• A list of student names must be provided to Education on a record sheet for the gate keepers to use. The date range within which the students will undertake their projects should be clearly specified and should not extend beyond 10 weeks under normal circumstances.
• Students will be required to sign in and wear an appropriate badge whilst in the Zoo. At the end of the day they must return the badge and sign out.
• Students will be required to pay the student entry price on their first visit, but will be given free entry for the next 2 visits. If further visits are needed, students will pay the student entry price again on every third visit (ie. 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th visits).  Gate keepers will record each visit and all payments on the record sheet. 
• University staff should alert students to explore the option of Membership of the RZSSA if multiple visits are anticipated

There is an expectation that

• Students must follow all instructions provided by Zoos SA staff.
• Students must obey all signage, safety procedures and staff instructions in off-display areas.

Smaller Projects or One Day Excursions requiring Zoos SA staff input .  These visits must be negotiated with Education staff.

University staff should contact Zoo Education to make a booking (at the reduced Education Price) and to outline the extra educational input the group requires on the day(s) of the visit.

Education staff will liaise with relevant staff (eg. Curatorial, Animal Health, Marketing) to arrange a schedule of activities to accompany the excursion. The group will be charged at the same rate as school groups undertaking a program with an Education Officer. (See Education Prices for groups) to partially compensate for the time commitment of Zoos SA staff.

In planning this type of excursion, university staff

• must give sufficient time for the trip to be organized. A minimum of 4 weeks notice would be required
• must appreciate that Zoos SA staff are busy people. The day should be planned to make the most efficient use of staff time. Eg. Students with specific questions should be prepared to ask them at the time set to meet staff, and should not expect to follow up later with phone calls or emails to particular staff members
• should know that an expectation that many Zoos SA staff will be involved with a group of students is unreasonable
• should not expect extensive “behind the scenes” experiences
• should have a very clear idea of the educational objectives of their excursion and should communicate these ideas in writing to the Zoos SA staff who will be meeting with the students
• should be prepared to make the group payment, (not individuals paying separately) including student entry fee and the additional program fee, on the day of the excursion.

If further input or activities are required, a price structure is available for a range of other opportunities.
If the group requires access to other facilities such as the Pavilion at Monarto these areas are booked separately through the private contractors which manage them.

One Day excursions requiring no additional Zoos SA staff input.  These visits may be negotiated with the Tours Desk. Discussions with Education staff may assist your planning.

• A booking can be made through the Tours Desk: Monarto 8534 4100
• In order to be eligible for the “student entry” conditions a minimum of four weeks’ notice is required.
• Groups of more than 15 must come on their own bus to be eligible for the Education prices. Groups of 15 or less are still encouraged to bring their own mini bus. For groups of 15 or less who come to the Park and use a Monarto public tour bus, an additional “Bus Charge” is added to the Education entry fee. (The total cost is still a considerable discount on the normal “student” cost.)
• Group payment (not individual payment) must be made at the gate on the day of the excursion.