Curious about animals? Make the most of your visit to Edinburgh Zoo by attending one of our daily animal talks and encounters! 

Talks and tours are subject to change and are located at the featured animal enclosure unless stated otherwise.

Chilean flamingo side on in water IMAGE: Amy Middleton (2022)

11:00am – Flamingo

Discover how flamingos may look delicate, but they’re one of the most hardcore birds on our planet. 

Did you know – flamingos are pink because of the carotenoids (red pigments) found in the algae and shrimps they eat? These pigments are also found in carrots and peppers. 

Watch out for… our flamingos standing on one leg (what you think is their knee is actually their ankle)!

11:30am – Meerkat

Discover why our meerkats are far more terrifying than they seem! 

Did you know – a mob of meerkats is led by a dominant female, who rules with an iron paw? 

Watch out for… our meerkats digging out delicious juicy bugs from the sand.

Meerkat sitting on a rock. IMAGE: Amy Middleton 2023
Liberius and Qafzeh chimpanzees sitting together on climbing frame

Image: KATE GROUNDS

2:30pm – Chimpanzee

Discover how chimpanzees are such intelligent creatures that for over 80 years, they’ve been challenging the very definition of what it means to be human. 

Did you know – chimpanzees are more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas? 

Watch out for… our youngest chimp, two-year-old Masindi, swinging about and causing mischief for her mum Helene. 

3:30pm – Japanese macaque

Discover how we relate to the rest of the primate family, the social nuances of life as a monkey, and how Japanese macaques are the only primate (aside from humans) who have braved the cold. 

Japanese macaque walking on all fours across the grass towards the right IMAGE: Amy Middleton 2023