Zoo Field Trips

Teachers often consider a field trip to a zoo as a great way for students to observe animals and feel a connection with wildlife. Indeed, many world-class zoos are actively engaged in conservation efforts to protect endangered species and often offer educational programs. However, it is important to first evaluate the facility to ensure you are bringing your class to a zoo that aligns with your educational goals and ethical considerations. 

Not all Zoos Are Equal 

Zoos vary widely in size, funding, staffing and animal care standards. While some are world-class institutions that offer enrichment and prioritize animal welfare, others may fall short in key areas. For example, reports by ZooCheck Canada found that while many zoos were providing very adequate facilities and providing required enrichment activities, others were grossly inadequate. In some cases, bears were being fed junk food and stale bread, and safety precautions were nonexistent. Observing these issues may leave students with a distorted impression of how animals should be treated and that these standards are acceptable.  

Align the Trip with Learning Objectives 

Before planning your visit, clearly identify the educations goals. Consider the questions: 

• Will the experience support curriculum outcomes? 

• Will it provide an accurate and respectful representation of animals? 

For instance, if the aim is to study diversity of animal life and how interactions with biomes affect diversity, then seeing a lion inside an enclosure will work against that goal. If studying animal life cycles, then viewing animals in captivity where the normal way of life is disrupted may also give an inaccurate impression. 

Animal Behaviour 

Often the reason for visiting a zoo is to observe natural animal behaviour. Watching animals walk, fly, nest, or interact with one another, is draw for many. However, animals that are not sufficiently enriched, or bored they may display stereotypic behaviours. This is when an animal repeats the same action over and over, like pacing back and forth or head bobbing. 

Rather than have your students try to make sense out of such abnormal behaviour, you can add a critical thinking component to your field trip by getting students to research the habitats of the animals and then evaluate the zoo as to how well it meets their needs. You can use the Zoo Field Trip Checklist as a guide. 

Interactions with Zoo Animals 

It is also worth researching if the facility offers performances or visitor interactions. Although exciting, these experiences may conflict with lessons on respectful to wildlife. In nature, interacting with wildlife can be lethal to both humans and animals. Teaching students to appreciate wildlife from a respectful distance is a valuable message. 

Consider Alternatives 

Not sure a zoo is the best fit? Consider other field trip destination options where students, especially from urban environments, can learn more about animals: 

• Farms  

• Animal sanctuaries  

• Nature centers and wilderness areas for observing native wildlife in their natural habitat.