As part of our Geography topic, Prep V visited Chester Zoo on Monday to learn about the rainforest and the many animals and plants which make it their home. We had a smooth journey, excitement levels rising as we spotted the brown signs with the iconic elephant as we neared the zoo.
On our walk to the education building we enjoyed exploring the new Heart of Africa area, where we spotted elephants having their morning shower and rhinos, happily eating hay, “Without a care in the world,” as Casey so aptly put it! We enjoyed gazing up at the beautiful giraffes and entering the tunnel underneath the meerkats’ enclosure. We also saw some hungry-looking vultures devouring their elevenses, and an eagle owl – Asa’s impression of its disdainful stare was very impressive!
When we arrived at our workshop, we quickly formed teams and investigated the plants, animals, insects and trees which are found in the different layers of the rainforest, solving clues and quizzes and examining skulls, skins and minibeasts as well as sampling some of the forest smells which ranged from vanilla and coffee – Mrs. Sweeney’s favourite – to the rather less lovely rotten meat smell of the corpse flower.
Afterwards, we learnt about the alarming speed at which deforestation is destroying our rainforests, and found out about the main causes. Most importantly, we learnt that we can all save the rainforests by buying products in supermarkets that use palm oil grown responsibly by farmers who safeguard animals and their habitats. We were relieved to learn that Gregg’s sausage rolls, Maltesers and Nutella all use sustainably farmed palm oil – phew!
We certainly had plenty of food for thought after our morning workshop, and talking of food, everyone was more than ready for a spot of lunch. We picnicked on the grass in the sunshine, joined by a persistent duck and an audacious seagull who stole Jerry’s pain au chocolat, including the plastic wrapper!
Next, we set out on our exploration of the zoo, focusing on rainforest creatures and a few extras who were too cute to miss! The colourful and highly poisonous frogs in the Tropical Realm proved popular – Mrs. Sweeney’s animal of the day was the tiny but highly deadly strawberry poison dart frog, and we enjoyed spotting the chameleon and the tiny scarlet birds which flew over our heads. At the Spirit of the Jaguar enclosure, some of us were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the prowling jaguars, as well as Mr. Grant’s favourites, the sloths, whose once a week descent to the ground for a toilet visit proved a source of great fascination!
All too soon it was time to make our way back to the minibus, but no school trip would be complete without a visit to the gift shop, where many cuddly creatures were liberated as mementos of our day out.
Our thanks to Mr. Suter and Mr. Rooney for their excellent driving, Mr. Grant for his zoological expertise, Miss Lawrence for all her invaluable help, the kitchen for our lunches and our parents for their continued support.
The trip was really fun and I really enjoyed doing the animal quiz .I especially loved the orangutans ,one of them swung on a rope behind a tree.The meerkats were very cut I loved it when one of them fell asleep in front of everyone it was soooo cute.
Amna Iqbal
This was a brilliant trip and it was hilarious when the seagull stole Jerry’s brioche. I was lucky enough to see the black Jaguar and he was massive. My favourite animal was the spiny mouse because it was so cute. Benjamin Elliott
I loved the trip who knew there were animals called aye aye’s (they could climb superfast).My favourite bit was seeing the orangotans swing around on the ropes.My highlight of the day was definatly seeing the mini blue frogs they were tiny!
Ibrahim Chaudhry Prep 5
This was an awesome trip my favourite part was the orangutans I was lucky enough to see one climb a tree, I also liked the little ducky when we were eating our lunches the little ducky came over to check out what we were eating which was so cute I would definitely go there again that was one of the best trips ever.
Noah Ciubotariu
I loved this amazing trip I wish we could have stayed longer that we did we learnt about deforestation. My favorite animals were the chimpanzee’s apes with great minds and when one little one did a rolly-polly sloths were so cute and i love the way they curled up in a ball and went to sleep But! that sea eagle and i have got some problems ………… he stole my panna choclate why why me im going to be watching you mister or misses grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Jeremiah Oletu
ILOVED chester zoo.I think my favrout activity was the rainforest worckshop and my fav animal was the turtles Hallie Anderson prep v
I loved this trip to Chester Zoo. My favourite part was when the baby orangutan was rolling down the hill and I also liked the rhinos (they were ginormous!) I wish I could have seen the black jaguar but it was hiding in the bush and only a few lucky people got to see it. I can’t believe the jaguar skin was real in the workshop! Thank you for taking us on this wonderful trip.
Carly, Prep 5
It was an experience like none before because I saw many different animals that I never saw before but my favourite animal had to be the ryticulated python by far!!!
Asa Barton – Johal
I loved looking at the meerkats because they were adorable.We saw the jaguars one resting one walking.In the workshop, we were finding what deforestation meant it meant to cut down lots of trees that is what is happening in the rainforests.My favourite part was looking at crocodiles. William rotheram
This was an amazing trip full of adorable animals! Especially the meerkats. We saw all the frogs in the wildlife exhibit and the jaguar enclosure that had piranhas two sloths and jaguars! If I had the chance to go again I would. Thank you for all the teachers who looked after us on the trip and organised it!
Poppy Boyes
I really enjoyed Chester zoo. I loved the baby giraffes and the blue frogs were one of my favourites too! I loved watching the orangutans swing on the ropes. Although it was very hot inside the rainforest it was still amazing look at so many different kinds of animals that are all different shapes, colours and sizes!
Thank you Mrs Sweeney and Mr Grant for organising this trip.
Rose Bridgford Prep 5
I really enjoyed the trip. Especially when we saw the orangutans and turtles. I also loved the snakes and when we learned about the levels of the trees. I liked the crocodiles and spotting the camouflaged animals I really enjoyed the trip I wish we could go back.
Victor Kindon prep 5
I really liked the meerkats because of their extreme cuteness. I thought it was extremely exciting when we saw the jaguar, an animal I had never seen before with my own eyes. I loved answering the questions on the boards when we were in the workshop and trying to figure out what was the sentence. Many thanks to the teachers that planned this trip!
Ariya Modarres, Prep 5
I really loved this trip. It was one of the best trips I have been on. I think the jaguars were the coolest ,but the giraffes were the best! A seagull stole Jerry’s panna chocolate and that was super funny!
Honorah worrall
It was AMAZING! my favorite animal was the aye aye’s .Because it was cool seeing a nocturnal animal at day! The funniest thing was probably the Naked mole rats because they are just so goofy like SO FUNNY! I learned that we need to stop deforestation and co-exist with wildlife somehow.
BUT one question remains why do naked mole rats have teeth like a rabbit? That I will never know.
Casey Knight PREP V Date 17.6.25
I loved the trip it was brilliant. My favourite part of the trip was when we had to spot all the hidden creatures. the funniest part of the trip was when Jerry was eating his lunch and a seagull snatched his pain au chocolat, and then a pesky duck came along and finished of his sandwich. I also liked sunbathing in the intense heat. We also saw orangatans and the very little one did a rolly-polly down the hill ( IT WAS SO CUTE!). I absolutely recommend this trip to other schools.
Elijah Griffiths Prep 5