The «Petting zoo» is the most requested workshop for schools at the Zoo of the Pyrenees by teachers.
Students pet and feed up to 10 animals.
Educational aspect of the activity
- Wild animals are not pets!
- Do not humanize them
- Know them and respect them
- Adaptation of animals to their lifestyle
- Feathers
- Fur
- Protection of animals to avoid being killed
- Adaptation to the predator’s hunting habits
- Catalan animals with world records
Animals participating in the «Pettin zoo» workshop
Peregrine falcon
European rabbit
Black-winged kite
Scops owl
Greek tortoise
Mallard
Barn owl
Magpie
Gyrfalcon
Rooster
What is the «Petting zoo» activity?
The «Petting zoo» workshop lasts 1 hour. Up to 10 animals (mammals, reptiles and rodents) participate in the workshop. Students have the opportunity to pet them, feed them and even hold a falcon. This workshop is recommended for all ages.
The number of animals and species varies according to the age of the students, as well as the educators’ explanations. If the teacher wants to go deeper into a particular topic, we ask that he/she lets us know in advance so that we can adapt the Petting zoo activity to the needs of the class.
From time to time we incorporate some
surprise to the Petting zoo workshop
for schools.
Functioning of the Petting zoo activity for schools
- Students clean their hands with disinfectant gel.
- They sit on the bench.
- An educator explains the general rules
- The first animal comes in
- The educator asks the students if they know what animal it is.
- Interesting facts about the habitual life of this species are explained.
- With caresses the students can verify that what has been explained is true and that the animal is perfectly prepared for its task in nature.
- Students can ask questions and make observations about the animals once the guide has finished the main explanation of each species.
- At the end of the activity the students disinfect their hands again.
Getting to know the animals first hand, petting them and feeding them has a profound impact on the students. The activity «Petting zoo» for schools has, without a doubt, its fun side. But the most important part is all the knowledge that the students take home.
Isn’t the «Petting zoo» cruel to animals?
The Petting zoo activity involves wild animals that cannot return to the wild because they have been humanized (they consider humans as their own species) or have permanent injuries that prevent their reintroduction to the environment. In both cases their welfare requires daily contact with people.
They are previously prepared to interact with people they do not know. Although caresses are not part of the usual communication of these species, the animals of the Peting zoo activity enjoy this part of their daily life.
In the case that a student does not pet the animal according to the instructions of the educator, the educator immediately takes the animal away from the student. We care that visitors have a good time in our park, but the welfare of the animals we take care of is our priority.
Other workshops at the Zoo of the Pyrenees
Alternatives to the visit to the Zoo of the Pyrenees
General information on how to contract the Petting zoo activity for schools
We kindly ask you to consult the detailed general information about the aspects to be taken into account.
The activity Petting zoo brings great value to the students.
The explanations about the lifestyle of each animal
combined with the experience of the participants
is an ideal way to bring the students
closer to the day to day reality of wildlife.
Apart from that, boys and girls, regardless of age,
love to pet animals and feed them. 😉
