Creating an enriching environment.

The animals at Auckland Zoo receive an exceptional level of care from our dedicated keepers, as well as our on-site vet team.

One of the ways we care for them is through behavioural enrichment – specific items created to engage their inquisitive minds and encourage natural behaviours.

Explore one of the ways in which Auckland Zoo enhances and maintains animal welfare – behavioural enrichment.

In this hands-on session, students will have a chance to explore and discover different types of animal enrichment followed by an opportunity to create an enrichment item for one of our animals at Auckland Zoo.

This session is a great choice for teachers who are planning projects such as designing an animal habitat or a behavioural enrichment item. Develop prior knowledge before starting your exciting design projects.

Session duration: Sessions with a Zoo Educator will last for approx. 45 minutes. Outside this time you are free to explore the Zoo. Most schools plan to arrive for 9:30am opening and leave by 2:00pm.

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Years 0-6

Understand how behavioural enrichments suits animals’ specific adaptations

Match behavioural enrichment items with the correct animal for their specific adaptation/ habitats

Physically create behavioural enrichment items that will eventually be delivered to specific animal groups

Years 7-8

Understand how behavioural enrichments suits animals’ specific adaptations

Match behavioural enrichment items with the correct animal for their specific adaptation/ habitats

Physically create behavioural enrichment items that will eventually be delivered to specific animal groups

Understand the concept of zoonosis and its importance when caring for animals in a zoo setting

Science – Living World

  1. Ecology Level 1-2 –Recognize that living things are suited to their particular habitat
  2. Ecology Level 3-4 - Explain how living things are suited to their particular habitat and how they respond to environmental changes, both natural and human-induced
  3. Ecology Level 5 - Investigate the interdependence of living things (including humans) in an ecosystem.

Science – Nature of Science

  1. Understanding about Science, Investigating in Science, Communicating in Science, Participating and Contributing.

Physical Education

  1. Relationships with other people Level 1-2
  2. Demonstrate respect through sharing and cooperation in groups
  3. Identify and demonstrate ways of maintaining and enhancing relationships between individuals and within groups
  4. Healthy Communities and environments Level 1-2
  5. Take individual and collective action to contribute to environments that can be enjoyed by all
  6. Contribute to and use simple guidelines and practices that promote physically and socially healthy classrooms, schools and local environments
  7. Movement concepts and motor skills Level 4
  8. Experience and demonstrate how science, technology, and the environment influence the selection and use of equipment in a variety of settings.

Education for Sustainability

Responsibility for Action, Sustainability, Interdependence, Biodiversity

What do we want for our young people? (New Zealand Curriculum, p8)

  1. Be actively involved – participate in a range of life contexts, contribute to the well-being of New Zealand – socially, culturally, economically and environmentally.
  2. This means Sustainability is a significant theme throughout the principles and values of the national curriculum in Aotearoa New Zealand and is important for a broad education. (New Zealand Curriculum, p16)

Download our RAMS here.

We welcome teachers to pre-visit before their session.

Book a pre-visit here.

Email: discoveryandlearning@aucklandzoo.co.nz
(09) 360 3817
Please read our Extended FAQs before getting in touch