The iconic animated character Shaun the Sheep is heading to the zoo this Christmas for a rather ‘ewe-nique’ festive trail.
The much-loved family favourite is headlining a new family art trail at Bristol Zoo Project, which is near J17 of the M5. Shaun the Sheep: Find the Flock has just got underway and features 12 giant Shaun sculptures located across the zoo for visitors to find until Sunday 12 January.
Produced in collaboration with Aardman and global art producer Wild in Art, each super-sized sculpture stands at 1.6m tall and has been individually designed by artists from across the region and beyond.
Two of the sculptures have been exclusively designed for Bristol Zoo Project. The first was inspired by the zoo’s endangered male red panda, Neora. With very few left in the wild, threatened by habitat loss and poaching, Bristol Zoological Society, the charity which runs the zoo, is working to help protect the species through conservation breeding programmes.
A second bespoke sculpture has taken inspiration from the new Central African Forest habitat which is currently under construction and will become home to the zoo’s existing troop of western lowland gorillas.
The Christmas sculptures include Seasons Bleatings by Jessica Perrin, Snowfall Symphony by Amrit Singh, Santa Shaun by Megan Smith-Evans, Little Donkey by Donna Newman and Ginger by Simon Randall.
Rosie Sims, Public Engagement Manager at Bristol Zoo Project, said, “We are all really excited about the launch of Find the Flock, this November. Shaun is such a famous character here in Bristol and we are thrilled to be hosting this trail until January, giving families and visitors the chance to enjoy some festive fun while they try to find all of the Shauns on the trail.
“Shaun’s flock has been all over the place, having fun exploring the zoo! Visitors can follow the map to explore and discover all twelve. We are confident Shaun will feel right at home alongside our giraffes, zebras, lemurs, red panda and cheetahs – there’s so much to see!”
Shaun the Sheep: Find the Flock runs from Saturday 9 November until Sunday 12 January at Bristol Zoo Project and is included with general admission.
To find out more about Bristol Zoo Project and Bristol Zoological Society’s conservation programmes across the globe, visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk.