Forget rabbits and chicks – Easter is all about frogs!
Children visiting Paignton Zoo over the Easter weekend will be able to tackle two tasty activity trails, pick up a free chocolate frog and be in with a chance of winning a £50 shopping spree in the Zoo’s Living World Gift Shop.
The Chocolate Frogs Easter Trail will run from Good Friday 2nd to Easter Monday 5th April.
Paignton Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “Follow the trails, answer the froggy questions and hand in your completed trails. Children taking part will get a free Cadbury’s Freddo. All the completed and correct trails will be entered into a prize draw - the lucky winner will get a £50 shopping spree in the Zoo’s Living World Gift Shop. The winner will be selected on Tuesday 6th April.”
The frog theme is in celebration of the Zoo’s Amphibian Ark and the work it does to save endangered amphibians.
“Frogs are in danger around the world – we wanted to get the message across but still have some fun. Out of the world’s 6,000 known amphibian species, 32% are threatened with extinction, compared to 22% of mammal species.”
Frogs are extraordinary creatures. There are around 3,900 species of frog and toad. Frogs are amphibians, like toads, salamanders, newts and worm-like creatures called caecilians. They are cold-blooded. Some frogs have long sticky tongues to catch prey, some have adhesive pads on their feet to help them climb trees. Frogs can jump over 20 times their own length – which is like a human being able to jump 100 feet. They drink through their skin!
Paignton Zoo’s Amphibian Ark species rescue and reintroduction centre opened in August 2009 with the aim of saving rare amphibians from extinction. Paignton Zoo Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates Mike Bungard has made trips to Tanzania and Trinidad to help set up conservation projects.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring (01803) 697500.
ENDS
Philip Knowling 01803 697568
