Zoo Life Magazine - Issue 8

ISSUE 8

Winter Issue 2023

WinteR wonderS!

Get into the festive spirit with our magical Christmas activities and experiences!

Everyone’s Welcome

Find out about the ways we strive to make the zoo accessible for all

A YEAR FOR CONSERVATION

We share our plans for supporting wildlife in 2024

www.colchesterzoo.org

C HA R IT Y U Pd A TE Find

o for thut how Ac e ti cons Wild helpon e proje rvation s cts the w around orld!

REMARKABLE REsearch

We hear about the vital work of students on the UmPhafa Reserve

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 ISSUE 8

2 • www.colchesterzoo.org

15

Contents

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 ISSUE 8

06 A YEAR OF CONSERVATION 18 HANDS-ON LEARNING We share plans for our work in 2024

08 A ZOO FOR EVERYONE

See how accessibility for all visitors at the forefront of everything we do.

10 ZOO NEWS

Get the latest from around the Zoo

12 ANIMAL FACT FILES

Find out about some of the awesome historical animals we have housed at Colchester Zoo

15 CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE Get closer to our beautiful Reindeer in this Christmas Experience

16 KEEPING RECORD

We chat to Colchester Zoo’s Registrar, Wendy Lehkyj, about her important job

Read about the life of a student keeper at Colchester Zoo

20 BACK TO SCHOOL

Find out about the exciting educational sessions on offer

22 POO, IS IT A WASTE?

We highlight the surprising importance of poo in everyday life

23 POPULAR PENGUINS Read about the festive school session we have to offer!

28 FLIPPIN’ FANTASTIC

Our Animal Care Team gives a run down of the recent pinniped conference and sold-out international workshop

32 RESERVE NEWS

Discover the latest on the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve

36 WINTER WILDERNESS

Tips to give wildlife a helping hand in your garden this winter

38 GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS

See the many Christmas gifts and souvenirs available in out Outpost Shop

24 WE LOVE THEM ALL

We explain how we celebrate all types of creatures at the zoo

26 SUPPORTING WILDLIFE

See the projects our charity, Action for the Wild, supports to help wildlife around the world

42 ZOO DATES

End the year in style with our Halloween and Christmas events for the whole family to enjoy

42

28 26 Photography: Tom Smith, Mark Blakemore, Brian Matthews, Daniel Thrower, Thomas Harris, Jamie Reeve, Lurii Nikitin, Orangutan Foundation, Save the Rhino

what’s that?

Like so many of the weirdest species, the Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) lives in Australia, inhabiting streams and rivers from the cold highlands of Tasmania to the tropical rainforests of Queensland.

This mixed-up animal has a thick layer of waterproof fur to keep it warm in cold water, clawed-webbed feet for efficient swimming, and an iconic duck bill. They are even more confusing when you consider the fact that this animal lays eggs like a bird or reptile, but also feeds milk to its young like mammals do!

In 2020, scientists discovered another strange characteristic of the Platypus – they glow in the dark! This phenomenon, known as biofluorescence, occurs when a substance, in this case Platypus fur, absorbs one wavelength of light and emits a different wavelength.

The Platypus is also one of only a few living mammals to produce venom, which does not appear to be lethal to Platypuses or humans, yet is capable of causing excruciating pain. Despite this, researchers now believe that Platypus venom could treat type 2 diabetes, due to a hormone it contains which promotes insulin release, that in turn lowers blood sugar levels.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 3

Welcome

Welcome to THE SECOND ONLINE ONLY Edition of our magazine, Zoo Life!

As we head towards the end of the year, we look back at our 60th birthday celebrations, and what a wonderful year it has been! Marking the special occasion wouldn’t have been possible without your support! By completing community projects and joining us for our exclusive celebratory events, our visitors have helped shape the past, present and future of the Zoo. We hope you have enjoyed commemorating 2023 with us as much as we have!

Our award-winning events are back for another year, starting with our SPOOK-TACULAR Shriek Week packed with daytime fun for the whole family, providing you with more value for money!

Our animals have also been getting into the spooky season with our male African Elephant, Tembo, attending to his very own Pumpkin Patch!

Celebrating our 60th!

With Christmas around the corner, our cheeky elves are busy preparing, with a REIMAGINED Santa Experience where you can get your paws on your very own ‘Spirit the White Tiger’! This festive period also sees the RETURN of our magical, Enchanted Trail of Light, and exclusive Reindeer Experience!

As we say goodbye to 2023, we welcome the arrival of 2024, which is set to be another special year for us with some BIG developments just around the corner. We will be sharing everything conservation as our charity, Action for the Wild, transitions into Colchester Zoological Society. This is an exciting change and will mean that we can continue to support conservation projects worldwide. We will also be launching our BRAND NEW dino-mite area, creating a new space within the park for all to enjoy.

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all our supporters for celebrating our 60th birthday with us and look forward to the many exciting changes that we are able to share with you in 2024. With your help next year, we will continue to work towards creating a Zoo for all that everyone can be proud of.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

4 • www.colchesterzoo.org

Our animals get into the seasonal spirit.

From Colchester Zoo Management

Autumn colours return to the Zoo.

Year 7 Information Evening Tuesday 3 October Sixth Form Information Evening Wednesday 11 October Snapshot Mornings Friday 6 & 13 October Whole School Open Morning Saturday 2 March Independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2-19. Nursery open all year round.

stjos.co.uk

At St Joseph’s we support the intellectual, spiritual, physical and emotional growth of every student.

Children who thrive are the happiest of all.

The Place to Stay in Essex - Camping & Touring - Luxury Holiday Homes - Live Entertainment - Restaurant - Licensed Supermarket - Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool - Children's Play Park - Kids Club - Fishing Lakes - Golf Facilities - Bike Hire - Beach Access - Launderette - EV Charging -

Luxury Holiday Homes

Please call our friendly bookings team on 01206 382898 to book your break or for more information.

Alternatively, you can visit our website www.waldegraves.co.uk Waldegraves Family Holiday Park, Waldegraves Lane, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8SE

Source: World Health Organization

t: 01206 382898 w: www.waldegraves.co.uk e: holidays@waldegraves.co.uk

We are pet friendly

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 NEWS

UNITED BY

Join us next year as we prepare to become Colchester Zoological Society in January 2025!

During 2024, we’ll be running a whole host of events and activities to showcase our role in saving species as a conservation focused Zoo – and show you how you can support us in our fight against extinction!

So what is Conservation?

Conservation focuses on preservation, protection and restoration, with many organisations working extremely hard to safeguard our natural environment and the wonderful wildlife that lives in it.

It is really important to look after the health of the planet and preserve the Earth’s biodiversity (the number of different living things and the variety of life).

All our actions as humans can have a big impact on the world around us, so we need to be sure that the choices we make and the things that we do will have a positive difference to our surroundings.

6 • www.colchesterzoo.org

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 NEWS

Here at Colchester Zoo, we understand the importance of fighting for wildlife and want you to be involved too!

We hope that coming to spend time around our amazing animals will inspire you to get involved in conservation through your everyday actions. Reusing and recycling rubbish, making smart choices in the shops, and planting wildflower seeds to help feed our superpollinator bees, are all real ways that YOU can make a difference.

Remember, actions you take at home, at school and in your local community can create positive ripples out into your local environment, across the country and even around the world!

For example, if your school council asks the Headteacher to only buy wood and paper products with the Forest Stewardship Council certified FSC logo, then your school’s products come from a sustainable source and are not contributing to the deforestation of rainforests, where 80,000 acres of tropical rainforest are currently being lost daily.

Stand with us at Colchester Zoo, become a conservationist and fight for wildlife!

If you’d like more examples and ideas for making sustainable choices, take a look at our information and activity packs:

ENDANGERED ANIMALS PACK

CONSERVATION INFORMATION PACK

www.colchesterzoo.org • 7

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 NEWS

A Zoo for everyone At Colchester Zoo, we pride ourselves on welcoming all guests through our doors and making your visit as easy and as enjoyable as we can.

We continually strive to place accessibility for all visitors at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s the development of areas around the zoo, facilities that we provide or animal experiences in which you can be involved.

All the information mentioned on this page, plus more, can be found in our Accessibility Guide on our website HERE

Follow the car park signs to

ACCESSIBLE PARKING BAYS,

located near the Zoo entrance.

If you would like to make a comment about inclusion within the Zoo, please contact us HERE

Animal Viewing

Across the park, we continually assess and develop our animal enclosures, and animal visibility for our visitors is an important factor in the changes we make.

Recently, we upgraded the viewing area for the Spotted Hyena enclosure at Edge of Africa, installing over 16 metres of glass panelling and built a new glass-fronted beach access area for guests to get even closer to our wonderful penguins in their animal experience!

Animal Experiences

We want everyone to have the opportunity to take part in fantastic animal experiences and will do all we can to make that possible. In some situations, and depending upon the specific needs of the guest, species of animal and accessibility of the animal exhibit, we may need to make reasonable adjustments in order to provide a safe and enjoyable experience with the species you would prefer.

8 • www.colchesterzoo.org

Prior to booking an animal experience, please contact us via the online form HERE on the website to see how we can best accommodate your needs.

ah in a the z entranc Servi with

Remi Brown Play Area

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 NEWS

Remi Brown is an outdoor adventure play area perfect for children to let off some steam, with wheelchair accessible slopes and platforms for the little ones to enjoy.

We have hearing loop areas around zoo. Tills in the ce and at Guest ices are fitted loop systems.

Lost Madagascar Train

The train has accessible carriage to the rear of the train and we also have a printed guide of our train ride commentary – please speak to the train driver on the day of your visit.

Changing Places

A registered Changing Places changing facility is available for those with additional needs at the toilet facilities near the Suricata Sands Meerkat enclosure. The facility has a height adjustable changing bench, ceiling track hoist and space for more than one assistant, accessed using a radar key.

Autism Aware

The Zoo is an exciting place full of noise, information, customers, different levels of lighting etc. however, we understand that these can present some difficulties for guests who have autism.

We want to better understand these issues and have a number of Autism Friendly trained team members who will do their best to assist you.

Mobility Hire

To help you navigate our diverse zoo, packed full of many different habitats and animals from around the world, we have Mobility Scooters and Wheelchairs to hire.

Fill out a Hire Enquiry Form HERE to book for your next visit.

PLEASE NOTE: All hires must be pre-booked at least 24hrs in advance before your visit.

App-tastic

CLICK HERE to download the App today!

Our App is a great way to find your way around, with live directions to your favourite animals, animal encounter times and all the information you need for your visit at your fingertips.

You can listen to audio encounters about some of our species on the App too!

www.colchesterzoo.org • 9

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 NEWS

An unlikely gardener!

The most SPOOK-TACULAR season has arrived and some of our animals have been enjoying the spoils that this time of the year brings…

Tembo, our male African Elephant, has been hard at work over the last few months as his Animal Care Team have observed him tending to his very own Pumpkin Patch!

Over the last few weeks, Tembo and female African Elephant, Zola, have been reaping their gardening rewards by tucking into the large, lobed leaves that have been growing in their Pumpkin Patch located in their outdoor paddock. By pruning the unwanted leaves on their patch with their trunks, our magnificent gardening duo left the orange squashes to grow ready for when they could be harvested.

The Animal Care Team are unsure how Tembo’s Pumpkin Patch initially sprouted but suspect that Tembo and Zola must have dispersed the seeds from previous pumpkin enrichment created by the team.

On Saturday 10th September, the team managed to harvest some of the ripe pumpkins before Zola decided that gardening was no longer for her and started her Halloween enrichment early by trampling over the pumpkins that were left on Tembo’s Patch!

10 • www.colchesterzoo.org

GIVE The purR-fect present for an animal lover with an

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 SHOPPING

animal adoption

By ADOPTING AN ANIMAL at Colchester Zoo, you are helping to fund our work, as well as our charity, Action for the Wild, which assists conservation projects all over the world.

!

Cracking Christmas gift idea

Give the gift of an adoption this Christmas and you can upgrade to one of our BRAND NEW adoption plaques, to treat that special person!

FIND OUT MORE about our Adoption Packages HERE

www.colchesterzoo.org • 11

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 ANIMALS

I’m classified as: ‘least conceRn’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

My name: Greater Kudu

Scientific name: Tragelaphus strepsiceros

About me: I am found in mixed scrub woodland, acacia, and mopane bush on lowlands, hills, and mountains across eastern and southern Africa.

I am one of the largest species of antelope, with males weighing up to 270kg (600Ib) and standing up to 160cm (63in) tall at the shoulder.

I live for around 8 years in the wild and form small herds of up to 10, though, in the dry season, this can double, mainly made up of females and their young.

The males of my species are often solitary or form small bachelor groups, joining the females during the breeding season.

Did you know? A noticeable feature of Greater Kudu are their ears, which are large and rounded, providing the Kudu greater hearing and a quick and easy way to lose body heat.

The large surface area of the ear, thinner fur and lots of blood vessels, aids in heat escaping the body quickly, helping them stay cool. Another feature are their horns, which only the males have, which curve into loose twists as they grow.

My favourite food: I can get most of the water needed from my food, which is often leaves and shrubs, making ME a browser rather than a grazer.

12 • www.colchesterzoo.org

I’m classified as: ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 ANIMALS

My favourite food: I am mainly a grazer, feeding on grasses and shrubs, however, I will also eat insects and scavenge carrion (meat) if I find it!

My name: Aldabra Giant Tortoise Scientific name: Aldabrachelys gigantea

About me: I am one of only 2 species of Giant Tortoise left on our planet.

I am found only on the Aldabra Atoll, an extraordinary group of islands formed by coral in the outer Seychelles which, due to their distance and inaccessibility, have remained untouched by humans for most of their existence and formed a remarkable natural habitat for many unique species.

Did you know? Giant Tortoises play a vital role on these islands, dispersing seeds and maintaining the balance of vegetation through grazing. They have one of the longest lifespans in the animal kingdom, with tortoises recorded as reaching 255 years old!

The temperature of the nest decides the sex of the hatchling, with eggs in cooler nests (20-27°C) more likely

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species gives the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species, dividing species into nine categories from low risk ‘Not Evaluated’ to ‘Extinct’.

to hatch male and eggs in warmer nests (30°C+) more likely to hatch female!

You can find our Aldabra Tortoises in the Walking Giants section of Colchester Zoo where they share a home with our African Spurred Tortoises.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 13

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 ANIMALS

My name: Guianan Bearded Saki Monkey Scientific name: Chiropotes sagulatus

I’m classified as: ‘least concern’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

My favourite food: a varied diet of up to 250 different types of plants, eating mostly fruits, seeds and leaves.

About me: I live in different kinds of forest habitats in northern Brazil, Guiana and Suriname, in south America.

Did you know? Males of this species can have large bumps on their heads giving them a characteristic heart shaped head. These bumps are powerful jaw muscles that enable them to crack open hard seeds and nuts, which humans would need a hammer to break into!

Their teeth are robust, enabling them to specialise in eating unripe fruit to extract the seeds and nuts.

This ability to exploit so many different food sources could have a role to play in helping Saki Monkeys to survive when faced with threats like habitat loss. However, if deforestation trends continue, it will have a negative impact on them.

All Guianan Bearded Saki Monkeys have beards, including the females, and will start to grow them at around 10 weeks old.

14 • www.colchesterzoo.org

MAke amazing memories With ANIMAL Experiences!

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 SHOPPING

Meet our FESTIVE friends this Christmas...

Get closer to our FESTIVE FRIENDS with their long, sweeping antlers and thick coats, perfect for keeping warm this winter.

For just £20.00, you can visit our Reindeer stables and experience a close encounter with Ash, Ronnie and Sami, in this EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE which takes place on selected dates throughout November, December and January.

Click HERE to purchase your experience.

FIND OUT MORE about our Animal Experiences HERE

www.colchesterzoo.org • 15

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 PEOPLE

FOR THE

RECORD...

Wendy Lehkyj, Animal Registrar, Research Coordinator and Placement Administrator for the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve, shares what it’s like keeping track of the comings and goings at Colchester Zoo and on the UmPhafa Reserve!

Compiling the paperwork from vet visits is an important aspect of Wendy’s job to keep specific animal information up to date and easy to access for the animal care team.

16 • www.colchesterzoo.org

Elephant dental operation.

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 PEOPLE

Wendy works through research intern applications to for placements on UmPhafa.

How long have you worked at Colchester Zoo?

I have been employed at Colchester Zoo for 12 years, but before being employed at the zoo, I volunteered from 2009 – 2011, so if you count these, then 14 years!

Did you always seek a career working with animals and if so, why not a keeper position?

When I was young, I wanted to be a vet, but going to University was not an option for me at that time.

I have always wanted to work with animals in some form or another, but had not had the opportunity, experience or qualifications to do so. It wasn’t until later in life that I was able to go to University to get a degree, and with the help of volunteering at the Zoo, manage to fulfil my dream.

What are the top three tasks that are part of your daily role at the Zoo?

- Entering animals’ medical and behavioural notes, and reports onto the online database.

- Filling out and collating paperwork for animal transfers both in and out of the Zoo. - Working through research study applications from students and processing applications for placements on the UmPhafa Nature Reserve.

Why is it important that animal records are kept and up to date?

Keeping information allows us to keep a history of our animals’ health and can identify any concerns.

Animal records are used for animal management and provide a source of data and information for husbandry, health, breeding, conservation, and planning decisions.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve been faced with when organising an animal transfer?

Since Brexit, every transfer is a challenge! Each EU country has their own set of import/export regulations that must be met. The first few animal transfers after Brexit were probably the most challenging as they were taking around 18 months from first recommendation to actual animal leaving the Zoo! My latest challenge is transferring a Tamarin to Australia, which will involve a lot of paperwork!

Golden Lion Tamarin.

Our White Rhino in the crate ready for transfer.

A key part of the Registrar’s role is collecting all the information for animal transfers, such as our White Rhino transfer in 2022.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 17

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 PEOPLE

GETTING

HANDS ON EXPERIENCE

Since 2015, Colchester Zoo has delivered a voluntary one-year work experience placement on animal sections, called the Student Keeper Programme.

The goal of this AWARD WINNING programme is to provide opportunities for real-world experience and to develop both personally and professionally to aid career progression and experience the wider world of work.

The programme involves monthly formal learning sessions; topics of these sessions range from customer service to enrichment. The goal of the sessions is to provide more in-depth theory and knowledge to help build practical skill.

Within the first year of completing the programme,

74%

of Student Keepers were employed in the animal sector Of those employed in the animal sector,

61% employed at Colchester Zoo

39% were employed at other zoos

18 • www.colchesterzoo.org

As of July 2023, 97 people have participated in the programme.

AWARD WINNING!

Our 12 Month Student Placement Programme won a Silver BIAZA Award!

Student Keepers are based on an animal section and take part in keeper duties, such as cleaning, animal training, diet preparation, and enrichment.

Student Keeper Dylan Bentley tells us all about his experience of student life at Colchester Zoo! Did you always want a career working with animals?

Yes I have always wanted to be a zoo keeper, in particular at Colchester Zoo; I grew up near the zoo and often visited so it was always a dream of mine.

What was your educational journey to pursuing a career with animals?

I completed a Level 2 in Animal Management at Writtle before starting the Student Keeper Programme at Colchester Zoo.

Do you have any top tips for those looking to work with animals?

A top tip would be to be open to working with all kinds of animals, as it’s a great way to get a lot of experience and knowledge in different areas.

What has been the highlight of your time at Colchester Zoo? A highlight would probably be our new female Cheetah, Anika, arriving and getting to assist with the moving process, desensitise her to her new home and help start some training with her to settle her in.

Would you recommend a Colchester Zoo Student Keeper Programme to others looking for a career with animals?

I would definitely recommend the Student Keeper Programme for anyone wanting to get into working in the animal industry.

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 PEOPLE

I learnt so much while on the job and, through the theory lessons, I also gained some really valuable experience throughout my year on the programme.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

I have a job at Colchester Zoo now as a qualified keeper and in 5 years time I’d like to see myself pushing to achieve senior keeper level.

FIND OUT MORE about our Work Experience Placements on the website www.colchesterzoo.org

www.colchesterzoo.org • 19

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 EDUCATION

A CLASS ACT

Farms Around the World

Maths

English, the Zoo Debate

Reception & KS1

KS1- KS3

KS2-KS4

New for 2023-24 is our session on farms! Through a fun pretend baking game, children will learn where all the different ingredients come from, how farmers help wildlife living on their land, and even how to ‘crack’ the secret code on eggs!

Our maths workshop lets students get hands-on with maths puzzles relating to animals and life at the zoo. We show students how the maths skills they learn are applied in practice.

Our English session is designed to work as part of a longer spoken English and debating project schools may run.

This session links well with aspects of the KS1 science and geography curriculum.

From measuring the area/volume of real animal furs to using fractions to group minibeasts, students will need to work together to solve problems in this fun, interactive session.

Students will play debating games to learn the concepts of agreement, disagreement and persuasive speaking and are provided with worksheets to record observations around the Zoo and build their arguments for or against zoos, culminating in a formal debate back in the classroom.

We provide teachers with all the materials to inspire a lesson plan encouraging students to engage with some of the trickier questions and hone their discussion skills.

20 • www.colchesterzoo.org

When booking a school trip to the Zoo, you may think you know what to expect from education sessions.

Whilst you can come and learn about rainforests and food chains, there are lots of other education workshops we offer that may surprise you…

THE Zoo as a Business

ArT

KS3-KS5

KS1-KS5

This session works for business and tourism students needing a case study for coursework or to demonstrate how various business concepts are used in a real-world setting.

During this session we cover the work of notable British wildlife artists past and present and give students a chance to study and photograph a variety of real skins, shells, feathers, and furs.

We cover what it takes to keep the zoo running, from finances to market research and advertising. This talk looks at normal operating conditions but we also offer a ‘Covid Business Impacts’ talk covering how the Zoo operated in 2020-2021.

The chance to examine these artefacts up close is perfect for students looking to capture the specific textures and colours found in nature and practice drawing from observations.

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 EDUCATION

Interested in booking a school trip to the zoo?

FIND OUT MORE about our School Sessions on the website www.colchesterzoo.org OR contact the Education Department directly HERE

www.colchesterzoo.org • 21

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 EDUCATION

POO

What a waste, or is it?

It is safe to say poo is a big part of life and, except for a few species, all animals poo!

So with 160 species, there is a lot of it at Colchester Zoo, but does poo go to waste?

The largest amount of poo in the Zoo is from our African elephants who produce 150kgs of dung each per day. Some of the most frequent pooers are our Humboldt Penguins who poo every 20 minutes!

dung pile made We have a large ing re’s poo, old bedd up of our herbivo pile is Th s. ing av sh straw, and wood de 20m long, 5m wi is approximately time er ov wn do ks ea it br and 3m high! As er liz rti fe l ra as a natu we offer it for use o.

Zo e th nd ou on our fields ar

Animal poo is great at improving soil quality as it has lots of good microbes in it, which helps plants grow bigger and healthier. A bonus that Zoo poo has over other animal poo is all that old straw and wood shavings in it; they help to break down the poo quicker, meaning it can be used much sooner compared to just animal poo.

However, animal poo can be used for more than just fertiliser. It can be used as fuel to heat buildings and even power cars, by using the poo to make biofuel.

It’s possible to drive up to 5592 miles (9,000 km) on the annual manure production of a single cow, and one farm in the USA supplies enough electricity to power itself and an additional 70 households just from using biofuel from their animal poo. This prevents the equivalent of burning 45 tonnes of coal per month.

Poo can also be dried out and used in biomass boilers (we have many installed at the Zoo and are investigating using poo to generate energy) instead of wood pellets to burn as fuel and then the poo ash is composted and used as a fertiliser.

l p b a u in c

C 22 • www.colchesterzoo.org

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 EDUCATION

WaddlE into christmas!

Take part in a wonderful Christmas educational experience at Colchester Zoo! Your class will be greeted by a festive elf who helps you learn all about penguins.

You’ll then get the chance to observe a real penguin up close to test what you’ve learned. Father Christmas will then join you to see how much you know about one of his favourite winter animals!

As you leave, Father Christmas has a lovely gift for each pupil.

Suitable for EYFS, KS1, and lower KS2 classes with accompanying adults.

The session can also be delivered for SEND groups working at these levels.

To book a Christmas Penguin Experience please contact our education department directly HERE

Finally we thou ght you’d like to know that when poo is turned in to a biofuel, CO² is pr oduced and some of th is is used to make the fizz n lemonade an d other carbonated dr inks!

Cheers!

www.colchesterzoo.org • 23

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL From little Lizards and charming Chimpanzees, to enormous Elephants and gigantic Giraffe, our Animal Care Team highlights the conservation of animals across the globe with animal awareness days throughout the year!

All donations received on these special days go towards the relevant animal conservation project, whose work we support through our charity,

Charity No. 1105621

24 • www.colchesterzoo.org

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION Each year, many zoos across the globe support Animal Awareness Days for all manner of creatures, great and small. These events, which can actually take place over a single day or as long as a month, aim to highlight specific animal species or groups of animals, inspiring us to help and to care about their conservation.

We have been very active in celebrating our amazing species by supporting a range of awareness events throughout the year. We regularly showcase our incredible animals on social media, with posts including fun species facts, talks from the Animal Care Team, behind the scenes footage and a range of interactive posts with which to engage. Utilising social media, we’re able to reach a wide audience, allowing us to share our passion for animals and their conservation.

During April 2023, we had great success with a social media campaign for Ape Awareness Month that received over 48,000 views!

Each week in April focused on a different ape species at Colchester Zoo (Chimpanzees, Orangutans and Pileated Gibbons), with the final week highlighting how we can help conserve them all.

Posts included information on the daily care of the apes, their diets, training, and enrichment.

You can still catch these videos on our social media or via the website HERE. The Animal Care Team have posted on social media to celebrate a diverse range of species, such as the Pygmy Hippos, three of our Turtle species.

This also included an Animal Care Team social media takeover for World Giraffe Day and a post highlighting Sea Lions and ocean plastic pollution for World Oceans Day.

Already this year, our Orangutan mascot, Oren, has been meeting visitors at Rajang’s Forest to help celebrate Ape Awareness Month, making appearances at an educational touch table for International Hyena Day and joining in with positive reinforcement training activities at Chimpanzee Lookout for World Chimpanzee Day. In September, we celebrated International Primate Day. Visitors helped to make foraging enrichment at Chimpanzee Lookout and learnt why enrichment is essential when caring for our primates.

They also had the chance to practice carrying out health checks on our primates with animal training activities at Rajang’s Forest.

The Exploratorium area by Dragons of Komodo also had activities to learn more about primates at the Zoo and in the wild.

September also saw two more species highlighted in awareness days in the form of Elephant Apreciation Day and World Rhino Day. Visitors took part in various activities, including examining poo, playing pin the horn on the Rhino and games where you can help protect animals on the UmPhafa Nature Reserve.

Interactive Primate Day activites.

Keep your eyes peeled on your next visit or check out our social media to see our upcoming animal awareness events!

Oren helps to make enrichment for the Orangutans in Rajang’s Forest.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 25

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

This year, our charity, , will be providing aid to support the vital work of these amazing animal conservation projects:

N CENTRe LWIRO PRIMATE REHABILITATIO o lic of Cong Democratic Repub ilitation des ab Reh The Centre de PL) works Primates de Lwiro (CR ilitate ab reh d an for re to ca . orphaned primates £4,858.50

GHOSTfishing UK

United Kingdom The purpose of this team of specialised volunteer dive rs is to remove, where possible , lethal entanglement hazards to marine life and scuba dive rs from the marine environment. £613.62

FISHERS BREEDIN United

The Fish and hig primari Colche a cons monito the con

2023 Pledged Pr

Galapagos Conservation Trust

South America

The Trust works with scie ntists, authorities, NGOs and loca l communities to tackle key threats to the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos, including inva sive species, pollution, climate change and overfish ing. habitat, flora and fauna popula�ons of this important ecosystem. £373.62

ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE PROJECT Zambia

The orphanage strives to rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned Elephants back into the wild. £10,000

SAVE THE RHINO

South Africa This project st rives to upho ld the security of Hluhluwe-iMfo lozi National Park ’s Rhino popu lations by maintaining a viable perim eter fence and to increase the effectiveness of anti-poachi ng and monitorin g activities, in order to ensure the continued an d increased co mpetence of field rangers in the reserve. £7,068.04

26 • www.colchesterzoo.org

Vulpro

South Africa

Through rehabilitation, research and education, and a captive breeding programme, VulPro aims to save Africa’s wild Vulture population. £4,994.22

UMPHAFA PRIVATE NATU

South Africa

Action for the Wild’s ow reserve in KwaZulu-Nat South Africa, working to the natural habitat, flor fauna populations of th important ecosystem. £479,000

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

E.A.Z.A. Elephant HErpes FUND

S ESTUARINE MOTH NG PROGRAMME

Europe

Kingdom

her’s Estuarine Moth is a rare ghly-threatened species rily found on Skipper’s Island. ester Zoo undertakes servation breeding and oring programme to promote nservation of this species.

Elephant herpes virus is a devastating infectious disease posing a significant threat to the long term conservation of Asian Elephants. Via research projects through EAZA, the aim is to provide better understanding and combat

this virus. £906.70

The Red Panda Ne

twork Nepal The network is committed to the conservation of wild Red Pa ndas and their habi tat through th e education an d empowerm ent of local com munities. €250

roject Support

URE RESERVE

wn 6,000ha tal, o restore ra and his

FREE THE BEARS

Laos

The mission of Free the Bears is to protect, preserve and enrich the lives of Bears throughout the world. £7,500

A.E.E.C.L. Lemur conservation

Madagascar the AEECL focuses on advancing ation serv con and ing and erst und ugh of Madagascar’s Lemurs thro scientific research, captive on propagation, and protecti . itats hab ral natu r of thei €2,000

ORANGUTAN FOUNDATION

Borneo

The world’s foremost Orangutan conservation organ isation focused on saving Asia’s end angered great ape by protecting the ir forest habitat, working wit h local communities and pro moting research and educa tion. £7,500

KOMODO SURVIVAL PROG

RAM Indonesia The Komodo Survi val Program aims to protect an d monitor Komodo Dragons and their habitat with the inv olvement of the local comm unity. €1,500 www.colchesterzoo.org • 27

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

focuS on our fin-footed FRiendS Senior Keeper, Lizzie, reports on the recent BIAZA Pinniped Husbandry Workshop.

On Wednesday 22nd March 2023, Colchester Zoo hosted the BIAZA Pinniped Husbandry Workshop, which covered topics relating to the management and husbandry of Seals and Sea Lions. We had 32 attendees, representing over 25 different organisations, including international attendees.

The day started with an introductory talk about the history of pinnipeds at Colchester Zoo from Andy Moore (Director of Science, Education and Training), and an introduction from Nicky Needham from the BIAZA Pinniped Focus Group.

The day consisted of presentations, which covered topics including; enrichment and training with pinnipeds; pinniped behaviour; veterinary management; and research that is currently ongoing with regards to Sea Lion whiskers.

28 • www.colchesterzoo.org

The day also included a guided tour of our state-of-the-art filtration system here at Colchester Zoo. We also had keynote speakers from two charities; Ghost Fishing and the Galapagos Conservation Trust, who highlighted some of the vital conservation work that is going on in the field. See their project profiles on the opposite page

>

A total of

£987.24

was raised from the day, and this was split between the Galapagos Conservation Trust and Ghost Fishing UK to help with their ongoing projects.

Some of those funds were raised through a raffle, and we were very grateful for contributions from so many organisations, including attendees bringing items from their collections, enrichment items donated from Kong, and even money off a fish order, kindly donated by Honeybrook.

Due to challenges, such as covid, there has not been a pinniped conference for a few years, so it was an honour to host this workshop. The opportunity to learn from so many specialists in one room was invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our support at future events.

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

Galapagos CONSERVATION trust Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is the only UK charity to focus solely on the conservation of the Galapagos Islands.

For over 25 years GCT has raised funds and awareness, and delivered impactful conservation projects both on their own and in partnership with Ecuadorian authorities, local communities, scientists and other non governmental organisations.

Their project portfolio for 2023-25 is focusing on four key solutions: stopping species extinctions; eradicating invasive species; building climate resilience; and reducing the human footprint.

In 2023, Action for the Wild gave a contribution of £373.62 from the conference to help fund this project.

PINNIPED

Meaning fin or flipper-footed and refers to the marine mammals that have front and rear flippers.

This group includes Seals, Sea Lions and Walruses.

These animals live in the ocean, but are able to come on land for long periods of time.

Ghost fishing UK Ghost Fishing UK was established in 2015, and is an award-winning charity dedicated to removing ‘Ghost Gear’ from the seas around the UK. Ghost Gear is fishing gear such as nets and shellfish traps that have been lost by the fishermen during the course of their work. The lost gear continues to catch marine life, as it is designed to do. This has an undoubted neagative effect on the local and global marine ecosystem. Animals are needlessly caught and killed by this Ghost Gear which, unless removed from the sea, continues in a vicious circle of catching animals which in turn act as bait for larger animals and so on.

Ghost Fishing UK is made up of around 60 volunteer scuba divers, who have been trained to remove this lost fishing gear from the seas.

The purpose is to remove, where possible, lethal entanglement hazards to marine life from the marine environment.

In 2023, Action for the Wild gave a contribution of £613.62 from the conference to help fund this project.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 29

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

P-P-P PASSIONATE ABOUT PENGUINS! Charlotte Jones, previously an Animal Care Team member for Colchester Zoo’s Penguin section, shares what it’s like to help organise an international, sold-out workshop to discuss all things Penguin!

The most incredible thing was that word had got out to Europe that this workshop was going to be taking place and keepers seemed keen to travel to the UK for this event, an event that I was helping to organise and which started out as me just hoping to learn more about the species I now cared for.

30 • www.colchesterzoo.org

Who is ABWAK?

The Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK) is a membership organisation for those interested and involved in the keeping and conservation of wild animals, which seeks to achieve the highest standards of excellence in animal welfare through communication,cooperation, training and development.

As a newly-appointed member of the Humboldt Penguin Animal Care Team at Colchester Zoo, I was keen to learn more about my new charges and, as anyone who has attended an ABWAK workshop before knows, this is a really good place to start.

I contacted the ABWAK council committee to enquire as to whether there were any plans for a workshop that would relate to my new role.

At the time, there were’nt any plans for a Penguin workshop or anything similar, so I was asked to help make this happen. I was delighted, not only would I get a chance to learn all about Penguins and network with many Penguin colleagues, but I would be able to be a big part in making that happen. It was the first ever workshop I had been involved with, so luckily I had the committee to guide me on what we needed to organise for the workshop.

We first set a date in April 2023 so we had many months to bring the workshop together and then we needed a venue. Woburn Safari Park was more than happy to jump on board and host the event.

With Woburn having recently made enclosure modifications to their current Penguin habitat, this seemed like the perfect place to hold the workshop.

We then began inviting speakers to the event and we were able to invite keepers from across the UK to speak for us about ‘all things Penguin’.

I personally approached Edinburgh Zoo, as I had heard of their amazing work in breeding Gentoo and Northern Rock Hopper Penguins. I also invited London Zoo to talk about hand rearing, and recently West Midland Safari Park have been recognised for their work creating a behavioural study on their colony of Penguins, which helped them with modifying their habitat to greater benefit animal welfare, so they were invited too. I had such a great response and it wasn’t long before we collectively had lots of speakers ready to talk about topics, such as hand rearing, bumble foot, mirror boxes and breeding success.

This was already turning out to be a very exciting workshop to be a part of and would provide so many opportunities to learn and network. We were also approached by a few collections asking if they could present at the workshop too. This opened up the topics to filtration and African Penguin husbandry as well.

With a schedule jam-packed with interesting talks and the opportunity for a tour of Woburn Safari Park’s facilities, there was also time for a group activity where keepers could socialise whilst making some enrichment for Penguins; it really was going to be a full day focused on Penguins!

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

Guests workshopped ideas in the group tasks.

The day came and I was overwhelmed by the turn out, we were sold out of tickets and I met many lovely people who had travelled from different parts of Europe to be there. I was honoured to kick off the day with my presentation on bumble foot in Penguins and I hope many of the keepers there benefitted from the presentation, with this being a hot topic amongst Penguin keepers.

I gained so much from all the other great presentations; we heard about hand rearing from London Zoo, filtration from Drusillas Park, the box ramp from Peak Wildlife Park, Humboldt Penguins from Welsh Mountain Zoo and the breeding success of Edinburgh Zoo. After this, half of the group had their tour of the Penguin habitat in the park whilst I ran the enrichment workshop. It was great to see everyone getting involved and sharing ideas on enrichment they have used for their Penguins.

After lunch, the groups swapped over and some great enrichment was made.

Then it was quiz time! Everyone was able to participate using an app on their phones and the top three Penguin enthusiasts won some Penguin prizes!

The afternoon was also filled with presentations on natural enclosure design by Woburn Safari Park, Rockhopper chicks by Whipsnade Zoo, Fairy Penguins by Sealife Centre Weymouth and African Penguins

by Artis Zoo. Overall, the day was a great success.

For anyone who gets the opportunity to help organise a workshop with ABWAK, I would say do it. It’s so rewarding and you will have a great day surrounded by passionate like-minded keepers.

A great turn out of participants for the day.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 31

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

ReSeArch on the ReServe In the last few months we have welcomed researchers from both the UK and South Africa onto the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve, all looking to study a diverse range of topics!

Umphafa is a 6,000-hectare reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, established by Colchester Zoo and its Action for the Wild charity after buying the land in 2005 to rehabilitate and recreate historical animal populations.

32 • www.colchesterzoo.org

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

IT’S ALL ABOUT GIRAFFES! One of UmPhafa’s most beloved and favourite animals are the Giraffe that roam our incredible landscape. We contacted the Giraffe Conservation Foundation who are involved in Giraffe conservation efforts in 19 African countries as we want to take part in their genetic research to understand the population numbers, distribution and the sub-species we have on the Reserve.

The first stage is to create ID kits for all our Giraffe which will be added to the conservation tool - GiraffeSpotter ‘Wildbook for Giraffe’ which is a database of all Giraffe encounters and individuals catalogued in the wild.

The second part was for Rigardt Hoffman, Conservation Program Officer for South Africa, to join us and collect a DNA sample from 20% of our giraffe population.

With this DNA he is able to ID the sub-species of our Giraffe. We are hoping to receive the results in the near future.

Researchers darting the Giraffe to then collect information for the database.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 33

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE SOIL! Whilst it’s always fun to look at the animals on the Reserve, the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal joined us to study the soil on UmPhafa; this is part of their practical element of their course, and they spent 6 days researching the different types of soil found on UmPhafa.

37 students and 2 Professors joined us and they were split into 5 groups to study different areas of the Reserve. Working on foot they were constantly interrupted by the ‘locals’; warthog, impala and Giraffe who were very interested in their activities!

The main findings were that the Reserve could not be used for cultivation and it should continue to focus on wildlife – but further studies should be conducted. They have found 19 different soils on UmPhafa so far – who knew there was so many in one place! We look forward to inviting them back later in the year for more studies.

Students and professors joined us from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal to carry out the soil study.

34 • www.colchesterzoo.org

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

Students put out camera traps on the Reserve

STUDENTS HELP OUT The University of Suffolk joined us in August and brought their own camera traps and a thermal drone to check out the animals. The new group started with induction drives, bush encroachment, putting out the camera traps, and a night drive.

One of the Reserve’s camera traps was stolen by poachers, so we contacted the supplier asking if they had any security boxes to prevent this in the future – they didn’t – but one of our Maintenance team is skilled in welding. He designed and made 7 steel boxes for the solar cameras and these new, super heavy camera security boxes are now back out in the Reserve!

Our camera traps, donated by WPS, specifically pick up poachers. The last month provided not only 2 pictures of different Leopards walking past one of the cameras, but also a picture showing 5 poachers inside the Reserve; one carrying a Panga, the other a spear and there looked like there was a dog with them. The team found the entry and exit points, as well as blood at the fence, so something was taken, but they were out before the team got there.

Students help to keep the bush back and head out on a game count

Imagery from the thermal drone

FIND OUT MO RE!

Visit our website HERE for the latest UmPhafa news or see our socials for up-to-date stories from the Reserve!

Find out how to become an intern HERE

www.colchesterzoo.org • 35

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CONSERVATION

LEAVE the LEAVES! As we pack away the patio furniture and look around our cold, frosty gardens, the traditional custom is to clean everything.

However, conservation organisations are encouraging gardeners to refrain from the cleanup and ‘leave the leaves’ to support pollinators and allow other wildlife to enjoy cozy overwintering sites.

We have four more great ways you can help the visitors to your garden this winter time:

ces, alorie food sour Provide high-c et balls feeders and su such as peanut ground e th n scarce whe food becomes ow. sn in d rie mes bu freezes or beco

Put out fresh water as th ese sources fre eze regularl y in the lowe r temperatu res.

Create a bug hotel for insects to make their home over the cold period.

Put up nest boxes for our feathered friends to begin making plans for the spring.

36 • www.colchesterzoo.org

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 SHOPPING

Give th e gift o f

memories th is Ch ristmas

Gifting this Christmas just got easier with our very own Colchester Zoo Gift Cards.

Our gift cards can be used to purchase day tickets*, a Zoo Pass*, an Animal Adoption*as well as be used within our food outlets or towards a shopping spree in our Outpost Gift Shop.

Simply load up your chosen design with the amount you want to gift with our friendly team at Guest Services. Gift Cards are valid for up to two years.

COMING SOON - WINTER 2023!

Four exclusive designs to choose from...

No matter your budget, you can load our gift cards up with as little or as large amount as you want.

e

uNforGettAbl mEmorIes gIft cArd

.ylno steltuo detceleS** .nosaes no gnidneped egnahc ot tcejbus doof llA

*Items must be purchased with valid gift card at the Zoo. Gift cards cannot be used online.

Gift card terms and conditions apply.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 37

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 SHOPPING

THE OUTPOST gIFT sHOP Festive fragrance Fill your home with some seasonal scents with our range of Ashley and Burwood.

Choose from 3 amazing scents • White Christmas (pictured), • Christmas Spice • Festive Fizz.

38 • www.colchesterzoo.org

Visit our Gift shop, packed with magical Christmas decorations, cute cuddly toys and delightful homewares for the whole family to enjoy... PLUS MUCH MORE!

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 SHOPPING

SEASONAL SOFTIES Deck the halls with these cute, adorable characters from Jelly Cat! We have lots to choose from, including cheeky Penguins, fluffy Bunnies and holiday favourites - why not collect them all!

Don’t forget to check out the ‘Amuseable’ range of soft toys - a great way to bring some seasonal whimsy to your home!

The perfect Match Be the first to MATCH 5 of your favourite animals in a row in this new game for all the family!

Great for those holiday adventures with no assembly required and a robust case that you can take anywhere!

Purchase online HERE

PLEASE NOTE: All items are subject to availability and may be removed from sale at any time without notice.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 39

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 SHOPPING DUSTY PUPS are a great stocking filler to help keep your tech tip top!

Give the gift of a cuddle with Warmies heatable animals, giving soothing warmth and aromatic comfort.

“The perfect gift for all ages and loved by all too!”

40 • www.colchesterzoo.org

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 SHOPPING

Save with a Zoo PaSS! Enjoy UNLIMITED visits for a whole year...

PRICES (INC VAT)* Adult (16 – 59yrs): £70.50 Child (3 – 15yrs): £50.50 Senior (60yrs+): £60.50

A Zoo Pass membership gives you unlimited visits for 1 year* and entry to exclusive events, such as our Wake Up with Colchester Zoo event where Passholders see the Zoo in a whole new light as you enter, just as the animals are beginning their day!

Being a member also means you receive discounts in our Outpost Gift Shop and food outlets so you can fuel your adventure and purchase souvenirs to remember your day for even less.

Not only do you receive discounts in our shops, but you can also get even closer to our amazing species with money off selected Animal Experiences!* Click HERE to purchase a pass PLUS, a Colchester Zoo membership gives you entrance to selected major zoos free of charge.

*Ts & Cs apply to all Zoo Pass Benefits Prices correct at time of publishing - OCTOBER 2023.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 41

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CALENDAR

WHAT'S ON End the year on a high with our SPINE-CHILLING Halloween events and magical Christmas activities for all the family!

PLUS, see what we have in store for 2024...

INTING h FAaCinE tePdAlike a scary!

F ie n duiS ire r face p y va m p

p Have yo e a creeplies. r mayb witch , o * Small charge ap

21 - 29 October Enjoy a week filled with HAIR-RAISING daytime activities for the whole family, all included in your standard admission cost or with a valid zoo pass!

Plus our animals will be joining in the fun with FANG-TASTIC encounters throughout the day!

THE EXPLORATORIUM

The Exploratorium returns with a few NEW spooky boxes!

SWAMP DETECTIVE CHALLENGE

Hunt for the hidden items to spell out a word!

SPOOK-TACULAR FANCY DRESS PARTY Show off your best Halloween outfit at our fang-tastic party!

M ag ic al WITCHES’

CRAFT COVEN

Join the good witches and wizards in the Craf t Co ven to create your own wands and po tions. *Small ch arge ap plies.

SCARE SCHOOL

Perform the spooky tasks to graduate from the academy!

MYSTERIOUS LOST MADAGASCAR ROAD TRAIN

Some additional costs may apply.

Terms and conditions apply to all events and activities and details are subject to change.

Find out more on our website.

42 • www.colchesterzoo.org

Enjoy a trip around the lake and enjoy a spooky story along the way! *Train will not stop at Lemur Walkthrough.

Spooky PHOTO POINT

Have your picture taken at our creepy photo point. *Small charge applies.

KL IN ’ PIRATE COVE SWAS HB UC a pit sto p to en joy Ta ke ga me s! so me gru es om e

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CALENDAR

13, 14, 20, 21, 25, 27 and 28 October EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED This HORRIFYING trail begins as soon as you step foot in the door, from rustling bushes, to CREEPY masked monsters and screaming scarers, they could get you anytime and anywhere!

Colchester Zoo will close at 5:00pm to day visitors as usual, before opening at 6:30pm on selected evenings, leaving the Zoo behind as The Trail of Terror comes to life!

We do have a limited number of SAFE ZONES during the trail which are located alongside food outlets offering hot food, snacks and drinks that you can enjoy without fear of being scared!

This is a pre-bookable event with a maximum capacity each evening.

Arrivals will be staggered along the trail offering you screams of laughter as you won’t know what is lurking around the corner on The Trail of Terror!

THIS EVENT IS NOT FOR SCAREDY-CATS!

We will also have food and LIVE MUSIC for you to enjoy at the end of the trail, PLUS a themed photo point so you can purchase a souvenir of your evening.

Click HERE to

BOOK NOW!

Terms and conditions apply. Minimum age 12 years - we will not admit anyone under the age of 5yrs.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 43

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CALENDAR

ChriSTMAS TALES

Join our Elves as they tell the tale of Santa’s new Tiger friend!

25 & 26 November 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 to 24 December Join us at this most MAGICAL time of the year for a day filled with Christmas activities and adventures!

ElveS’ WORKshop

Create magical crafts with our Elves at their workshop. *Small charge applies.

FESTIVE FACE PAINTING

Transform into your favourite Christmas character. *Small charge applies.

SANTA ’ S POST BOX

Bring your Christmas list for Santa and post it for express delivery to the North Pole!

CHRISTMAS ROAD TRAIN

Enjoy a trip around the lake and enjoy a seasonal story along the way! *Train will not stop at Lemur Walkthrough.

SEASONAL PHOTO POINT

Have your picture taken at our festive photo point. *Small charge applies.

The Enchanted WoODLAND

Take a trip through the magical woodland and discover our many fairies and pixies and their homes.

SAnta ’ S Reindeer STable

Journey through the forest where you will be able to see our Reindeer friends.

Some additional costs may apply.

Terms and conditions apply to all events and activities and details are subject to change. Find out more on our website.

44 • www.colchesterzoo.org

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CALENDAR

THE SANTA EXPERIENCE 25 & 26 November, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 to 24 December £15 PER TICKET Journey through our magical Santa Experience filled with festive scenery and cheeky elves, where you will also have the chance to meet Santa himself and take home Spirit, the White Tiger cuddly toy!

During our Magic of Christmas events, children can take part in the magical ‘Santa Experience’ for the additional cost of £15.00 per Santa Experience ticket.

Click HERE to

BOOK NOW!

All children who wish to enter the Santa Experience and receive a soft toy will require a Santa Experience ticket. This includes children under 3 if you would like them to meet Santa and receive a soft toy.

Please note: The Santa Experience takes place within the zoo grounds and an admission ticket will need to be purchased alongside a Santa Experience Ticket. All guests, including Zoo Passholders will need to pre-book a Santa Experience Ticket online in advance. Tesco Partner Reward Codes CANNOT be used for The Santa Experience Ticket. Admission tickets and the Santa Experience Ticket are non-refundable.

www.colchesterzoo.org • 45

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CALENDAR

2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 20 & 22 December With a host of colourful illuminations along a designated route, dancing fountains and fairies spreading their magic, our light trail event will leave you feeling ENCHANTED! Seasonal food and drinks will be available along the route to keep you warm and cosy as you discover the trail, so there is no need to worry about eating beforehand!

NEW FOR 2023! Why not UPGRADE your ticket.

Purchase an Enchanted Trail of Light Combi Ticket and receive a £6.50 food and drink voucher for just £5.

The Enchanted Trail of Light is a limited capacity, pre-bookable event. Arrival time slots are staggered offering you the chance to leisurely experience the wonder of the lights and the MAGICAL ATMOSPHERE!

*Terms and conditions apply to voucher.

Children under the age of 3yrs and assistants are not required to pre-book and will be admitted free of charge on the evening of the event. Anyone under the age of 16yrs MUST be accompanied by a responsible guardian over the age of 18yrs. We will not admit anyone unaccompanied under the age of 16yrs.

Click HERE to

BOOK NOW!

46 • www.colchesterzoo.org

ZOO LIFE WINTER 2023 CALENDAR

www.colchesterzoo.org • 47