Belfast Zoo
Posted in: Zoos
Location: Cave Hill, Belfast, Co Antrim
Cheetah by RobRyb
A modern and well run zoo with an excellent programme of activities for kids. It is located on Cave Hill, overlooking the city, and houses some 100 species of animal, including many endangered species, in particularly large, green and well thought out enclosures.
The zoo has a number of breeding programmes which have been recognised internationally for its excellence. Among the species in danger of extinction bred at the zoo are the Golden Lion Tamarin, the Mhorr Gazelle and the Malayan Tapir.
It is worth touring the zoo using one of the three ‘trails’ which have excellent printed guides including activities for kids, teaching them about animal conservation, habitats and animal life cycles while engaging them with games and puzzles.
The worksheets for each trail are available in different forms for each age group, so everyone can join in.
Keeper for a Day
This is a very popular programme which allows participants to work at the zoo alongside the Elephant or Giraffe keepers for a day. It is not cheap, around £100 per person, but the money goes to fund zoo projects and seems to be no barrier – the scheme is regularly booked out up to a year in advance, so if you want to take part book as early as you can.
Visiting Belfast Zoo
The zoo is open all year round, from 10am to 7pm in Summer and from 10am to 4.30pm the rest of the year.
The zoo is large, there is lots to see, so allow at least a half day to get around.
Location Map for Belfast Zoo
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