Relaxed Mornings at Adelaide Zoo 15 April 2023

Image used with the permission of Adelaide Zoo. Graphic designed on Canva by Volunteer Brooke Lloyd.

What: Relaxed Mornings at the Zoo 
Who: Adelaide Zoo 
When: 15th April 2023, 15th July 2023, 21st October 2023, from 8am
To book tickets visit: https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/events/ 
https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/event/relaxed-morning-at-the-zoo-april/
https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/event/relaxed-morning-at-the-zoo-july/
https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/event/relaxed-morning-at-the-zoo-october/

Adelaide Zoo - Creating an Inclusive Space for All!

Adelaide Zoo's Relaxed Zoo Mornings
Adelaide Zoo have been opening their gates earlier with reduced human noises onsite to ensure a quieter and calmer environment for the autism and autistic community. 

Held quarterly on the third Saturday morning of the month, Relaxed Mornings at the Zoo allows people to explore the wonders of the zoo and its furry and scaly inhabitants for one and a half hours at their own pace, before opening to the general public. Guests can arrive anytime within this timeframe and can stay on as long as they wish once the gates open.  

“We are thrilled that each of our Relaxed Zoo Mornings have been so well received by the community,” Chief Executive of Zoos SA, Elaine Bensted, said. She explained that the initiative has received fabulous feedback and each has been well attended, welcoming guests from across South Australia and as far afield as Mount Gambier and Port Lincoln.   

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

Zoos SA to Extend Inclusive Experiences Thanks to Funding Support
Zoos SA are also looking to expand the Relaxed Morning initiative to weekly afternoon sessions in the future thanks to recently receiving $10,000 in support funding from the South Australian Government.

“As a not-for-profit conservation charity, we are so thankful for the Government’s support of this program." Chief Executive of Zoos SA, Elaine Bensted, said and outlined how the funding will be invested in not only extending the Relaxed Mornings at the Zoo initative, but in other developments at the Zoo towards creating a more accessible environment. 

"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 caregivers, zoo 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."

"Importantly, the funding will allow Zoos SA to grow our Relaxed Zoo Morning program, add new hours and expand this important initiative to afternoon sessions weekly."

“We are so excited to bring this program to the community and ensure that the zoo is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for everyone.” Chief Executive of Zoos SA, Elaine Bensted, said.