Food for Thought
13 February - 21 2010
Come to the Zoo this half term for fun with food and learn more about elephants and the Zoo's work in Assam.
‘Food for thought’
at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is inviting all visitors to learn more about food plants everyday during half-term week (Saturday 13th February – Sunday 21st February) as part of the Food For Thought event.
Families will have the opportunity to pot their own food plant such as curry, mint and strawberries and use a ‘food for thought’ food trail sheet as they walk around the Zoo. Visitors can also enjoy two presentations on elephants and an elephant ‘touch’ table so they can get to grips with elephant artefacts.
The event will highlight how food directly links to conservation and will discuss how the Zoo uses chilli plants to ease human elephant conflict in its Assam Haathi project in Northern India. Human elephant conflict is a growing problem throughout Asia as elephants are forced to move into agricultural areas as their natural forest habitat is destroyed and human populations expand. This project aims to educate villagers on how to live alongside elephants peacefully by developing techniques to reduce the existing conflict.
Mark Sparrow, Curator of Botany and Horticulture at Chester Zoo, said:
“This is an excellent event for families which links food, elephants and our Assam project. As a charity involved in various conservation projects overseas, we actively aim to inform members of the public about the projects we support. We hope the visitors find it a fun hands-on event.”
Throughout the week, there will also be a growing/food produce display in the ‘Grow Zone’ tropical plant glasshouses.
The event will be included in the normal Zoo admission (there will be a small charge for the planting). The planting and touch table will be at the Bandstand. Please ask about the event on entrance to Chester Zoo during the half-term week.
There will be some follow up events at the Zoo to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from the 22nd February until the 7th March. Details to be announced shortly.
For more information on the Assam Haathi Project please visit www.assamhaathiproject.org
SPECIAL OFFER ON ADOPTIONS! 
As part of their Food for Thought event, Chester Zoo are offering a free cuddly toy Elephant to anyone wanting to adopt the Elephants during February.
The one year adoption also includes two complimentary tickets, a picture of your adopted species, a certificate, a quarterely magazine, an invitation to adopter day and the adopters name will be displayed on the adoption board outside the enclosure.
To take advantage of this special offer please call the Adoptions office on 01244 650204 and quote code FHT0210 or visit the Membership and Adoptions cabin outside the main entrance.
Offer valid until 28th February 2010, applies to new adoptions only.