There’s just two weeks left to join the thousands of adults and children who have taken part in Bristol Zoo Project’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail this summer.
The zoo’s visitor experience team says the recent exceptional rainfall hasn’t dampened spirits with keen families donning wellies and waterproofs to walk, climb, and ‘munch’ their way through the trail’s giant, larger-than-life 3D fruit sculptures.
One of the first items they encounter is a huge apple, which has seen an average of 2,000 people pass through it every day at the 136-acre zoo, which is located just off junction 17 of the M5.
The sculptures are based on the caterpillar’s favourite treats and come to life through augmented reality, by scanning different QR codes.
The trail is based on Eric Carle’s bestselling children’s book and takes people past some of the zoo’s popular animal residents, including reticulated giraffes, cheetahs, European brown bears, wolves and lynxes, as well of some of its newest residents – ostriches and Philippine spotted deer.
Jenny Stoves, Visitor Experience Manager at Bristol Zoo Project, said, “The weather hasn’t been too kind to us this summer, but it hasn’t stopped play at the zoo. It’s been fantastic to see our visitors taking part in the trail and we hope to see more families enjoying it together in its final few weeks and over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“It’s a really exciting time to visit us, as the trail celebrates our recent rebrand which saw us become Bristol Zoo Project. We are inviting people to ‘Grow with Us’ on our journey to become a new, modern-day conservation zoo. The story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which changes into a butterfly, is the perfect way to do that as it mirrors our plan to create something wonderful here.”
The zoo has welcomed celebrity visitors this summer including Peter Andre and his family and the band Scouting for Girls, who all posted on social media to say what a great day they’d had.
The trail’s been described as “an amazing thing to do with kids in the holidays” and “the perfect day out, even in the rain” by some of the zoo’s Instagram followers. One mum said it was “perfect for any little Very Hungry Caterpillar fans”.
With drier weather forecast for the remainder of the holidays, people are being encouraged to visit and enjoy the final fortnight of the trail, which ends on Sunday 3 September.
As well as the super-sized installations, there are also giant cocoon swings, a caterpillar slide and beautiful butterfly wings, which create a perfect photo opportunity.
Each visit supports Bristol Zoological Society, the conservation charity that owns and runs Bristol Zoo Project. Not only does it work to protect threatened species at the zoo, near Cribbs Causeway, but also in nine countries, across four continents, to conserve 18 target species in the wild.
Over the next few years Bristol Zoological Society will be investing in the Bristol Zoo Project site to create a new zoo where around 80 percent of animals will be linked to its conservation work. Construction is expected to begin in 2024.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail will run until Sunday 3 September and is included in ticket prices. To find out more and to book tickets, visit bristolzoo.org.uk. Book a day before your visit or earlier for 10% off.