Have you heard the news? The Children’s Variety Zoo is open and ready for you to swing open the gates and take a gander!
The Children’s Variety Zoo is our brand new space where kids and adults can learn all about chickens, goats, guinea pigs, rabbits, quokkas and other critters in an environment that is accessible-to-all.
We love our animals and we know that you do too; that’s why we’ve worked extra hard to create an environment that ticks all the boxes. Yes, the space educates and entertains both the animals and our visitors, however, it also provides home zones for the animals that include creature comforts as well as regular enrichment and brain-engaging opportunities galore.
For example, the chickens have a swing in their outside area, the goats have a seesaw and the rabbits have super cool hutches that have staircases, tunnels and houses. Over time, the animals will learn to use their enrichment activities but they can’t do it alone. No. They’ll need help, patience and training from our keepers and you, our visitors (big and small). Even better, by getting stuck in, kids will learn heaps about animal care and tips that they can take home and use on their own pets!
We totally understand that some visitors will be so excited that they’ll want to touch and groom the Variety Children’s Zoo animals, and who can blame them? That’s why we’ve created an exciting program of shows to tell you all about our animals and when suitable, provide opportunities for a gentle stroke and timely feed under the careful watch of our specially trained keepers.
Still want to get ‘hands on?’ The contact area, located close to the penguin Habitat, is an established space where you are welcome to interact closely and respectfully with the animals. However, the ‘new’ children’s zoo is, for the immediate future, fully focussed on creating a space where the animals are given plenty of time and space to adjust to their new home zone.
Build these Fun Moments into your Day at the New, Variety Children’s Zoo
9.30
Help feed the goats their breakfast – feed is available from the box in front of Goat Mountain, $2 per bag
(monies help raise funds for our conservation programs).
10.30
Creature Comforts Animal Encounter at Bottle Tree Nook/Nature Theatre
11.15
Wildshow in the Nature Theatre
1.15
Wildshow in the Nature Theatre
2.00
Creature Comforts Animal Encounter and Enrichment at Bottle Tree Nook/Nature Theatre
3.15
Goat Meet and Bleat
Want to know more? Find out about daily presentations by checking the sign in the Natures Playground as well as signage around the Variety Children’s Zoo itself. Want more? Our goats and deer are ready to mingle with you in our contact area located near the penguin Habitat.
Image: KIDDO Mag and Meaghan Coles @meaghan_coles_photography
