Kids will soon be able to experience nature like never before thanks to Adelaide Zoo’s exciting new $1.1 million Variety Children’s Zoo development.
Zoos SA will today unveil the innovative plans for Variety Children’s Zoo, an interactive, immersive precinct connected to the ever-popular Nature’s Playground.
Quokkas, critically-endangered bettongs, goats and many more adorable animals will make the move from the existing Children’s Zoo to the new and improved space near the zoo entrance.
Animals will celebrate the announcement today with themed enrichment and treats to mark Halloween.
Variety Children’s Zoo will feature two-level elements, balance beams and ladders for goats, climbing branches for quokkas, a dedicated presentation area for keepers to give educational talks, and aerial walkways connecting the new children’s zoo to Nature’s Playground.
Thanks to a partnership with Variety SA, this new interactive space will allow children of all abilities to get up close and experience the wonder of the natural world around us.
Zoos SA Chief Executive Elaine Bensted says the new Variety Children’s Zoo will help encourage and develop the next generation of conservationists, no matter their ability.
“Our vision for the Variety Children’s Zoo is to help kids get hands on as they learn and connect with wildlife, and in doing so develop a strong passion for conservation,” Ms Bensted says.
“The Variety Children’s Zoo will be a continuation of Nature’s Playground– making Adelaide Zoo the number one destination for the kids of South Australia and their families.
“When finalising the plans, we ensured we had an equal balance between animal welfare, unique facilities, exciting animal encounters, and educational yet magical moments for visitors to experience.
“Our partnership with Variety SA has been pivotal in ensuring the precinct is accessible for all children. Everybody deserves the same opportunities to learn and connect and we are very pleased the Variety Children’s Zoo will offer meaningful, unforgettable experiences for children of all abilities.”
Variety SA CEO Mark McGill says Variety SA is proud to again partner with Adelaide Zoo to bring the next stage of the children’s play development to life.
“Variety is enormously proud to have opened the doors of the Adelaide Zoo to more children who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs,” Mr McGill says.
“These children have enjoyed the freedom and inclusiveness of the all abilities Nature’s Playground, proudly supported by Variety, and these wonderful outcomes will only be expanded with the development of the Variety Children’s Zoo.”
The public are invited to ‘Be the Face’ of the Variety Children’s Zoo.
A larger than life art installation will take centre stage in the area and, for just $50, people can purchase a tile with their photo to remain in the Variety Children’s Zoo into the future.
A special Variety Children’s Zoo founding membership offer will be launched giving children five years’ worth of Zoos SA membership for the price of three.
Click here to be a part of Variety Children’s Zoo.
Construction for the Variety Children’s Zoo will commence in early 2019
