We are excited to announce our Zoology Live! festival for 2024! This year we are exploring the connections between animals in their habitats, and the connections between people and the natural world. Join us online on Wednesday 19 June from 7pm as we broadcast live from the Museum exploring the collections, and get your questions ready for our wildlife experts. You can find on our YouTube Channel, sign up for reminders:

or just tune in here:

We have not one but two very exciting guests for our livestream this year.

First off, we will be joined by Antarctic zoologist and colossal squid expert Prof Jose Xavier of Coimbra University, Portugal, and the British Antarctic Survey. Jose works on the animals found in and around Antarctica, from penguins to colossal squid. Find out about these amazing creatures, what life is like working in these extreme environments, and how Antarctic zoology is being impacted by climate change.

Later in the livestream, we will be joined by Josh Hellon of the Wildlife Trust. He works on the monitoring and research team for the Wildlife Trust, looking at how they can measure what is living in their nature reserves to see how their management of the reserves is supporting wildlife. He can answer questions on what we can do to support nature, as well as the work of the Wildlife Trust and some of the amazing animals and plants we have living on the doorstep.

Zoology Live Family Activity Day

Saturday 22 June, 10.00am-4.30pm

On Saturday 22 June, we have hands on wildlife and art activities, wildlife walks, and the chance to see the green spaces behind the scenes in the David Attenborough building.

Moth Trapping

Did you know that the David Attenborough Building that houses the Museum has a green roof? Local scientists have been setting a moth trap there on a regular basis to see some of the wildlife that visits at night. Starting at 10am, we will be looking at the results from the moth trap that they will have set up on the Friday evening. Come and see some of these beautiful creatures that come out at night – moths are really colourful and diverse, and extraordinary to look at.

Drop-in. No need to book.

Tours of Christ’s College Gardens

10.30am-11.30am & 3.30pm-4.30pm

Ever wondered what’s behind the dreaming towers of a Cambridge College? They have some wonderful green spaces and are really important for supporting wildlife in our city centre. These tours will be looking at the nature found in the grounds of Christ’s College, famous for many reasons, including the fact that one Charles Darwin studied there almost 200 years ago.

Spaces are limited, so booking is advised. Half the tickets are available to book online now, the other half will be bookable in person on the day.

Tour of the Green Spaces of the David Attenborough Building

11.00am-11.30am & 2.00pm-2.30pm

The David Attenborough Building that houses the Museum of Zoology may look like a big block of concrete, but inside there are surprising green spaces and areas designed to support wildlife in Cambridge city centre. With so many wildlife conservation organisations inside, from the RSPB to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, these are spaces to inspire but are not normally open to the public. With our guide, we will see some of these spaces, and find out about the wildlife of the building.

This tour is best suited for adults, and is not suitable for children under 8.

Spaces are limited, so booking is advised. Half the tickets are available to book online now, the other half will be bookable in person on the day.

Wildlife Explorers in the Learning Lab

Our researchers in the Museum have been busy collecting local wildlife for you to see close up in the learning lab. See minibeasts beneath a microscope, and marvel at the diversity of life our local green spaces support. All animals will be released back into the wild, and none kept for more than a few hours.

This activity is in the learning lab at the bottom of the spiral staircase at the end of the whale hall all day. Drop-in, no need to book. If the space is very busy, you may be asked to come back later.

Animal Connections Artist Workshop

Join local artist Rebecca Cahill-Roots as we build a big paper chain ‘ecosystem’ in the Museum galleries. Create your chain linking you to nature, then add it to the others in the Museum to see how connected we all can be.

This activity in the lower gallery of the Museum all day. Drop-in, no need to book.