Get In with the Spiders at ZSL London Zoo

ZSL London Zoo is taking on the challenge of a lifetime in a bid to clear the name of one of the world's most feared, misunderstood and maligned creatures, in a brand new exhibit being unveiled this May.

Opening on Saturday 23 May 2015, In with the Spiders will bring people face-to-face with amazing arachnids from around the world in a completely unique and immersive experience within the Zoo's popular B.U.G.S exhibit.

The only exhibit of its kind in Europe, zoo visitors will first get gently acquainted with the UK native species and regular house guest 'spider in a bathtub' before meeting fascinating exotic species such as the black widow, huntsman and giant bird-eating spiders.

Visitors will then discover the true meaning of 'up close' as they enter into the forest home of ZSL London Zoo's uniquely sociable communal spiders, and stunning, golden orb spiders that spend their days posing proudly on huge one-metre wide webs.

With the opportunity to take home a special souvenir from the walk-through expedition, visitors can pose for a pic with the golden orb spiders in front of the "Spider Selfie" mirror.

A sneak peek into the Spider Nursery will give visitors an insight into the varied breeding work carried out by keepers at ZSL London Zoo, and hopefully a glimpse of tiny spiderlings.

In with the Spiders will be home to one of the UK's most endangered animals, the fen raft spider. One of the biggest spiders in Britain, they have the remarkable ability to walk on water. As part of the Zoo's worldwide conservation work, zookeepers at ZSL London Zoo worked with Natural England to rear tiny fen raft spiderlings into adults, which were then reintroduced back to the wild.

Celebrating the creatures whose very name has been slandered over the years, In with the Spiders 'talking tarantula' will help to dispel the myths surrounding spiders to reveal why they are in fact friend, not foe.

With two decades of curing arachnophobia under its belt with the hugely successful Friendly Spider Programme, ZSL London Zoo already knows a thing or two about converting spider-haters into spider-lovers. Visitors are sure to leave the exhibit with a new-found appreciation for arachnids.

During May half term only, visitors can take part in a series of exclusive spider events, becoming intimately acquainted with the infamous black widow and her defamed cousin, the false widow; dress up as a Spider Superhero to discover the epic role spiders play in the world and discover all there is to know about spiders at the daily live Spider Talk.

The incredible In with the Spiders experience is included in the entry ticket price for ZSL London Zoo. Find out more and book tickets online now atwww.zsl.org

-ENDS-

Editors' Notes

High resolution images available to download here:

https://zslondon.sharefile.com/d-s43a656bada2443eb

Media Contact

Rebecca Blanchard

E: Rebecca.blanchard@zsl.org

T: 0207 449 6236

In with the Spiders

In with the Spiders, ZSL London Zoo's newest exhibit opens to the public on Saturday 23 May 2015. The first ever walk-through spider enclosure of its kind, visitors will first see species such as the black widow in their special enclosures, before walking among the golden orb and communal spiders in the immersive walk-through area. Combining a unique visitor experience with the opportunity to change the public perception of spiders, helping to promote and protect the species, In with the Spiders is a must-see new attraction at ZSL London Zoo. Entry to In with the Spiders is included in the price of a ticket to ZSL London Zoo. Book online and beat the queues now at www.zsl.org

Friendly Spider Programme

The Friendly Spider Programme (FSP) is an afternoon course, carefully designed to ease or eliminate the condition of arachnophobia – fear of spiders. The programme is a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and hypnotherapy led by ZSL's Head of Invertebrates Dave Clarke, in conjunction with John Clifford of the Centre of Clinical Hypnosis. Success is measured by participants catching house spiders under a glass, to take it outside, and if they so wish, cured participants are given the chance to meet one of ZSL London Zoo's red kneed spiders. http://www.zsl.org/experiences/friendly-spider-programme

ZSL Fen Raft Spider Conservation

ZSL London Zoo, part of international conservation charity the Zoological Society of London, opened the world's first invertebrate exhibit in 1881, and continues to work to promote and protect insects and arachnids in Britain and overseas. ZSL was involved in the captive rearing programme for the fen raft spider, which is listed as Vulnerable to Extinction in the IUCN Red List and Endangered in the UK. As part of a BIAZA zoo collaborative project with Natural England, newly hatched spiderlings were reared to a larger size to give them a better chance of survival when translocated. The spiderlings were released at selected sites to boost wild populations and have thrived, forming new populations.

ZSL

Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity whose mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. Our mission is realised through our ground-breaking science, our active conservation projects in more than 50 countries and our two Zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. For more information visit www.zsl.org

BIAZA – Love your Zoo

ZSL London Zoo's In with the Spiders exhibit opens in time for BIAZA's Love your Zoo week. Love Your Zoo 2015 will be held from the 23rd to the 30th of May 2015. This is the fourth year the campaign will be held to promote BIAZA and its zoo and aquarium members. Throughout this period BIAZA collections will host a variety of fun events to encourage the public to visit their local BIAZA zoos, aquariums and wildlife centres and learn about the good work they do.http://www.biaza.org.uk/campaigns/love-your-zoo-week-2014/