For the first time during the April school holidays the McDonald's Zoomobile ran weekday presentations that delighted families with an up close and personal encounter with live zoo animals, along with live music and fun interactions.

Utilising the Central Lawn's new stage area, the new initiative is aimed at providing an increased number of informal educational opportunities to visitors. Presentations have been focused around providing hands on experiences with animal ambassadors and learning about the importance of conserving Australia's biodiversity through wildlife friendly gardens, responsible pet ownership and disposing properly of litter and waste. The key message is that we can all create and care for local healthy habitats.

Visitors' reactions to the new interactive presentations were extremely positive, with many audience participants rating the quality of the presentations as excellent. One parent commented, "My tired two and three year olds listened in awe! They loved it!! Thank you". Responses from children have also been enthusiastic, many joining in with making animal sounds, funny faces and actions, some even getting up and dancing to the songs. Children from one family commented that "Patting the animals was best. [We] liked the songs too". It is these kinds of reactions that validate the importance of connecting the community with the natural environment and the wonderful species that we are working to conserve.

Thanks to the animal ambassadors, staff and volunteers who made the presentations a great success. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say it was a lot of fun and we can't wait to do it again!!

Jess Langley
Community Learning & Outreach