Adelaide Zoo expands its inclusive opportunities

May 2, 2023

A South Australian Government funding boost of $10,000 will allow Zoos SA to expand and deliver its series of relaxed experiences for the State’s autistic and autism communities.

During a Relaxed Zoo Morning experience, the zoo’s gates open earlier with reduced human noises on site to ensure a quieter and calmer environment for the autism and autistic community.

The additional State Government funding has allowed those hours to be extended to Mondays and Wednesdays, weekly, between 3pm and 4.30pm from 1st May 2023 – ensuring more people will be able to access these quieter times at the Zoo.

The funding will also allow Zoos SA to further train their staff in inclusive practices and update signage and materials for the autistic and autism community through the installation of a communications board.

Multiple ‘relaxed zoo’ experiences have already taken place, with positive feedback from the Autistic and autism community.

Chief Executive of Zoos SA, Elaine Bensted, said the organisation will offer more inclusive opportunities including extra hours and visitor experiences thanks to the Government’s support.

Bensted enthused “we are thrilled that each of our Relaxed Zoo Mornings have been so well received by the community.

“We’ve had fabulous feedback and each has been well attended – we’ve even welcomed guests from as far afield as Mount Gambier and Port Lincoln.

“As a not-for-profit conservation charity, we are so thankful for the Government’s support of this program as it will allow us to invest in the development and installation of communication boards at Adelaide Zoo to allow guests with limited verbal communication to more easily communicate with their caregivers, our staff and other guests.

“Zoos SA staff will also undertake Autism Awareness training with Autism SA, we are looking at sensory space equipment for the zoo, developing an accessible map for visitors and hope to start looking at how we can offer a similar experience at Monarto Safari Park.”

Zoos SA is committed to increasing accessibility across its sites to ensure all visitors feel welcome and included.

The Relaxed Zoo Mornings program is part of Zoos SA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) charter, which aims to create an environment of diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusiveness.

Image. Adelaide Zoo Relaxed Morning session. Credit: Play and Go

19th April 2023 - Popular light immersive attraction returns to Adelaide Zoo

19th March 2023 - Adelaide Zoo among South Australian businesses to secure major tourism awards

18th January 2023 - Adelaide Zookeepers help animals stay cool through summer heat

27th December 2022 - First ever critically-endangered Sumatran Tiger cubs to be born at Adelaide Zoo have arrived

12th October 2022 - Adelaide Zoo investigating unexpected death of Quokkas and Wallabies

5th October 2022 - Toro Australia equipment helps Adelaide Zoo horticulture team become more sustainable

7th September 2022 - Adelaide Zoo acknowledges loss and love on National Threatened Species Day

8th July 2022 - Light Creatures attraction returns to Adelaide Zoo to entertain and encourage conservation interest

20th June 2022 - Adelaide Zoo welcomes birth of critically-endangered species

3rd January 2022 - Adelaide Zoo welcomes female Sumatran Tiger

11th August 2021 - Adelaide Zoo has plans to expand its giraffe area over the next few years

29th July 2021 - Zoos SA reopens Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park and extends Illuminate Adelaide

8th February 2023 - Zoos SA goes green on first ever Reverse the Red Day

8th November 2022 - Zoos SA named plastic free champions while also securing multiple wins at SA Tourism Awards

30th June 2022 - Zoos SA EOFY appeal to help keep endangered animals warm through winter

17th April 2022 - Zoos SA offers animal enrichment to celebrate Easter

9th March 2022 - Zoos SA share sustainability information on Monarto Safari Park’s new Visitor Centre

5th November 2021 - Zoos SA celebrate multiple South Australian Tourism Awards

17th October 2021 - Zoos SA launches wild wellness program

24th September 2021 - Zoos SA monitor Giant Pandas during annual breeding season

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.