Animal Encounters

Animal Encounters

What is it? 

Interactions with animals can vary immensely; they can range from big establishments with no animal contact such as zoos, small animals at a farm park. 

What does it involve?

The basis of all encounters with animals is to interact with them! Sometimes it may be from a distance to ensure safety on both sides, but you can often get up close; you can train and even ride some animals.

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Spending time with animals has been proven to be beneficial in many aspects of life and development - it can teach things such as compassion, responsibility, and discipline for both yourself and others. 

What equipment do we need?

Depending on what sort of animal encounter it is, the equipment involved will vary. For example, riding a horse requires a lot more specialist equipment than stroking a cat! Make sure to check with your destination to see if you need to bring anything. 

Who is it suitable for?

Animal encounters are suitable for pretty much anyone - always be careful with smaller children though, as they may not understand how to handle them properly. 

Costs?

Can vary from free to reasonably expensive. Grounds that are open to the public and free to enter can often have wildlife roaming around to admire, but more extravagant establishments such as zoos with many more animals will undoubtedly cost more!

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

Be aware of allergies when it comes to animal encounters; although mild allergies are much more common, the risk of a student having a severe reaction means you should exercise caution if there is going to be physical contact with an animal. 

How do we include?

It will depend entirely on the type of animal encounter, but in general these kinds of activities will be great to include all students in, as everyone can interact with an animal in some manner. 

Doing it abroad?

The variety of animals abroad will often vary greatly from our own, and encountering them can be a once in a lifetime opportunity! Foreign nature and safari parks can be great places to visit, so make sure to check out your destination thoroughly to see if there's one you can take a trip to.  

Main website: 

Check out individual websites for specific information on what's available for you to do!

 

See the list below for venues and providers who deliver this activity:

Amazona Zoo

Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
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Amazona Zoo is one of Norfolk’s most fun days out and provides a full day of action-packed adventure and discovery for the whole family.

See animals being fed, learn about the history of South America, get up close and personal with reptiles in the Tropical House or grab a bite to eat at the Jungle Cafe. Brave explorers can visit the feline forest with jaguar, ocelot and pumas. Chatter with the parrots and marvel at the monkey acrobatics. NEW this year we’ve also got five creepy crawly tarantulas and a cute Guinea Pig Village.

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Fota Wildlife Park

Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
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Fota Wildlife Park is a joint project between the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College Cork (UCC), an idea originally conceived in the 1970s by former Director of Dublin Zoo, Dr. Terry Murphy.

The Park was officially opened in 1983 by the then President of Ireland, the late Dr. Patrick Hillery, and has gone from strength to strength since - welcoming record visitor numbers in the years after a significant redevelopment of facilities in 2010 and 2011.  

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Burton Dassett Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

Unspoilt, rolling hills – that’s what you will discover at Burton Dassett Hills. Whether you are walking, flying a kite or just sitting in your car, the magnificent views from these hills are breathtaking.

The site comprises a series of rugged hilltops affording spectacular views in all directions and Fox Covert, a small woodland with a surfaced footpath.

Opened as a country park in 1971, the 100 acres contain a wealth of historical interest such as the prominent beacon, quarry remains and the nearby 12th Century All Saints Church.

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Clumber Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

With 3,800 acres of parkland, gardens, woodlands and a lake, 20 miles of cycle routes and bike hire, plus a Discovery Centre, and a Woodland Play Park. Visit the Discovery Centre to see what children's activities they are offering during the holidays. This National Trust managed Estate offers lots to do.

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Calke Abbey

The un-stately home and country estate
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

With peeling paintwork and overgrown courtyards, Calke Abbey tells the story of the dramatic decline of a country house estate. The house and stables are little restored, with many abandoned areas vividly portraying a period in the 20th century when numerous country houses did not survive to tell their story.

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The Falconry Centre

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

A Falconry centre with over 70 beautiful birds of prey, and over 30 species, including American Kestrel, Snowy Owl, Saker Falcon, Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture and loads more! There are great opportunities to meet some of these birds at close quarters, and to take some great photos of the flying birds, without the barrier of cages or netting.

A friendly team of falconers, who are also very keen on conservation and rehabilitation, run the centre. They love to share their knowledge, which is a great if the kids have any questions about the different birds that they see.

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Battersea Park Children's Zoo

Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
0

Battersea Park Children's Zoo invites you to check on the monkeys, crawl down the tunnel to see the meerkats, talk to the parrots and mynah birds, on to the farm to say hello to the goats, donkeys, pigs, emus etc. Playground which includes climbing frames,large sandpit with water toys, swings and roundabouts etc.

Have you ever come face to face with a ring tailed lemur? Or popped up right beside a meerkat? Have you ever spent time with Kune Kune pigs? Seen an otter at work? Chatted with a mynah bird? Or patted a pygmy goat?

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Linton Zoological Gardens

Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
0

Linton Zoo has evolved out of our family's love, interest and concern for the wildlife of the world.

We have a large collection of wildlife ranging from Mexican red-kneed tarantulas and snakes through giant tortoises, hornbills, toucans, parrots, owls and pheasants to beautiful snow leopards, magnificent Amur tigers, Hartmann Mountain zebra and Brazilian tapir. Each year new species are brought in, many of them being part of an international captive breeding programme, so the collection's constantly on the increase.

Schools

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Longleat Safari and Adventure Park

The UK's No. 1 Safari Park
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
0

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, in Wiltshire, was opened in 1966 and was the first drive-through safari park outside Africa.

Your drive-through safari adventure will take you unbelievably close to creatures you’ve only dreamed about.  So mind the zebras crossing, give the rhinos right of way, watch out for the wolves and beware of the meddling monkeys.

Venture into the Bat Cave, visit the African Village, Gorilla Colony, Stingray Bay, Cheetah Kingdom and even the Postman Pat village,

Learning with Longleat

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Amazon World

Venue Type: 
Zoos / Wildlife Parks
Overall Rating: 
0

Amazon World Zoo Park has a huge range of unusual rare and exotic animals. At the last count it was somewhere in the region of 200 different species, spanning the entire animal kingdom!

We have mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, spiders, fish and amphibians. Botany is important too.

Education and Exploration

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