First Gruffalo land to open at county zoo in the spring
MONSTER SITE
TWYCROSS Zoo has revealed it will soon be home to the UK’s first Gruffalo Discovery Land.
The multi-million pound, four-acre attraction is due to open in the spring.
According to the zoo, it will bring together the much-loved characters from best-selling children’s book The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and a conservation organisation that exists to protect wildlife, preserve endangered species and educate the next generation on the importance of protecting our planet.
Twycross Zoo’s aim for this groundbreaking experience, developed in partnership with The Gruffalo brand owners Magic Light Pictures, is to inspire more children about the importance of conservation and the natural world.
With real-life animals, animatronics, film clips and more, visitors to the Gruffalo Discovery Land will be able to encounter Fox, Snake, Owl, Mouse and the Gruffalo, along their interactive journey through the Deep Dark Wood.
The announcement comes after research by the zoo revealed that more than three-quarters of children, as young as four, have a good or extensive understanding of extinction or endangered animals.
But when it comes to the solution, only 16 per cent have a strong understanding of how conservation efforts could help to tackle climate change, showing that more needs to be done to educate the next generation on how they can help to protect our planet.
According to the study, 65 per cent of parents believe that the less time children spend outdoors, the less they appreciate wildlife and nature, and 85 per cent of parents feel that imaginary characters from books, such as The Gruffalo, have a positive impact on children’s understanding of conservation, and play an important role in encouraging their children to care about wildlife.
Dr Sharon Redrobe, chief executive of Twycross Zoo, said: “We hope to spark the imaginations of our youngest visitors about the wonders of nature in this most engaging and interactive way.
“Even small actions can, collectively, have a big impact on the future health of our planet - and every young person can play their part.
“The arrival of the Gruffalo Discovery Land moves us closer to achieving our 2030 Vision to become a European Centre of Excellence for conservation.
“This new immersive experience will educate more young children than ever before and increase their understanding of the vital role that they will play to ensure our planet thrives in the future.”
Commenting on the survey results, child psychologist Professor Sam Wass said: “The climate emergency, conservation and extinction are all huge topics for young children to comprehend, but it is more important than ever that they share an understanding of these issues and what we can all do to make a difference, even from the earliest age.
“With the research also demonstrating that spending time outdoors is vital for their imagination, engaging with young children through the use of familiar characters like the Gruffalo is a great way to bring them along on a journey that not only provides a fun and memorable experience, but helps to engage them on these vital issues in an appropriate way.”
DEDICATED TO CHARACTER AIMS TO SHOW KIDS HOW VITAL WILDLIFE IS