Animal Handling

Some education sessions in the classroom can include live animals that pupils may have the opportunity to touch.

Teachers must ensure students have clean hands before they arrive for a teaching session, if necessary by taking the students to a toilet facility in the zoo prior to arriving at the Education Centre.

In line with BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) 'Guidelines on Animal Handling' there will be no animal handling for any classes containing reception age children (children under the age of five). Education staff will continue to use animals in these lessons, but purely on an observational basis.

Additionally, teachers are advised that any pupil or adult in a school group who is immunocompromised must be excluded from any touching sessions that include reptiles.

All teachers in charge of school groups will be reminded of this procedure prior to the beginning of each teaching session. It is teachers' responsibility to ensure they are in possession of relevant information relating to all individuals in their groups and take the necessary actions to ensure these procedures are followed.

Following animal contact all participants are asked by the Zoo Education Team to use NewGenn antibacterial handwash, as provided.