Some areas of the Zoo are CLOSED to allow us to prepare for our Halloween events. ... read more
Until 3rd November, there will be restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) and our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
From 14th October 2024, our Woodland Hollow will be closed.
Learn about wildlife and connect with local nature
Schools can use our camera traps to monitor wildlife on their site. At the end of the loan period, your pupils will have followed the wildlife monitoring process from start to finish and learned valuable skills that real conservationists use to monitor and protect wildlife.
If you have a school group who would like to get involved, please contact education@colchesterzoo.org for more information.
Schools get:
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One full-term long loan of a camera trap
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Full instructions for the operation of the camera trap
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Check-in email and support throughout the loan
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Teacher pack of cross-curricular activities to investigate the wildlife you spot
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Certificate of Participation
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Participation stickers for your class
Prices
A camera trap loan will cost £40 for the period of one full-term. A second camera trap can be borrowed at the additional cost of £25. Two different camera traps can provide students the opportunity to run experiements or compare set-up and locations between the two traps. Please email us (education@colchesterzoo.org) for more information about this opportunity and to check availability.
Delivery or Collection
Camera traps can be collected from Colchester Zoo at no additional cost.
Alternatively, camera traps can be posted to your school (Mainland UK Delivery, excluding Islands and Highlands). Due to the expensive of the equipment, this postage will be sent via Royal Mail secure signed delivery at a charge of £10 per camera trap for posting to your school. Schools will then be responsible for organising and paying for return postage themselves (using the provided box and packaging).
Payment Methods
Payment is made by invoice which will be sent to you via email after you have booked a loan. This must be paid before collection or postage from the zoo.
Camera Traps at Colchester Zoo
UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve rangers use camera traps to observe wildlife living on the reserve. Using camera traps, the UmPhafa team discovered leopards living on the reserve – a fantastic find! Once we know what wildlife is living in these areas, we can ensure that we protect and conserve them.
Colchester Zoo supports a wide range of field conservation projects. Many of these projects involve monitoring wildlife to discover the best ways to protect them and their habitats. Supporting and supplying these field projects with vital equipment, including camera traps, helps these wild researchers learn more about the animals out there as well as ways to conserve them.
In Colchester Zoo’s Nature Area, there have been sightings of foxes, deer, badgers and small rodents, but camera traps also captured footage of an otter near the stream! Otters were previously classified as rare in England, so knowing that they are active on zoo grounds means we are home to a very special animal.
