As Adelaide’s Wellfest launches and World Mental Health Month is in full swing, Zoos SA is inviting members, visitors, staff and volunteers to go wild in their search for wellness.
Zoos SA’s initial wellness program will include downloadable sustainability, creativity and mindfulness maps, greendesking (working outdoors) opportunities* for corporates and students, wild walks and bird watching.
Messaging regarding wellness and how the Five Domains model can be applied to humans as well as animals will be incorporated into keeper talks.
There will also be future wellness activities which will include Relaxed Zoos for those with sensory and other neurodiversities, yoga, painting, and a human library.
Zoos SA Director of Community Engagement, Sarah Brown, says the initiatives aligns animal wellness practices with humans.
“As a ZAA accredited zoo we use the Five Domains model to examine the environment, behaviour, nutrition, health and positive mental state of an animal to ensure positive welfare,” Sarah says.
“We thought hey, what’s good for our animals is good for us too!
Sarah says research has found that regularly immersing ourselves in nature is linked to better health and wellness outcomes.
“That’s why we are applying the Five Domains model to our members, visitors, staff and volunteers.
“Adelaide Zoo is blessed with an abundance of animals and a botanic setting that mellows a frazzled mind; it’s the perfect place for mindfulness and connection.
Sarah says the wilds of Monarto Safari Park transport the visitor to far off plains, providing the perfect place to lose yourself and forget any woes.
“It shouldn’t take World Mental Health month to remind us that our wellness is paramount but unfortunately we are all guilty of overlooking it,” she says.
“We really hope people enjoy our new Wellness program – we can’t wait to share it.”
The first ten corporates to contact Adelaide Zoo to arrange greendesking will take part in a free trial.
Zoos SA encourages applications from CEs, human resources departments, staff and students to get in touch at [email protected].
To find out more, visit the Zoos SA website.
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