Light Creatures attraction returns to Adelaide Zoo to entertain and encourage conservation interest

The Light Creatures attraction at Adelaide Zoo has opened for the 2022 season as part of Illuminate Adelaide and powered by SA Power Networks with the event not only offering an impressive display of South Australian artistic talent, but also offering Zoos SA the chance to illuminate conservation.

Visitors will get the chance to meet the zoo’s newest Light Creature Cahaya, a larger-than-life roaming tiger, watch the Night Creatures Wildshow featuring native species and see the Pelicans enjoy their dinner.

Chief Executive of Zoos SA, Elaine Bensted notes “young and old are invited to explore the zoo after dark and encounter animal lanterns of Giant Panda, Tarutharu the Skink, giraffe and a wibbly wobbly Underwater Wonderland.

“Light Creatures is fun but it’s also a new way to engage with conservation. We want people to leave enlightened about what we can do together to make a difference for species.

“Everyone is going to be spellbound by Cahaya (pronounced Cha-hai- ya), a four metre long illuminated mythical tiger.  When he’s not on his plinth he will be prowling the grounds, operated by puppeteers from Slingsby who have spent time at the zoo studying endangered Sumatran Tigers Kembali and Delilah to fully understand their movements and personalities.”

Visitors will also get to encounter and engage with Conservation Stations by Vans the Omega. A stop at a Conservation Station will immerse visitors in a private storytelling session about native and Asian animals thanks to a new audio spotlight technology that delivers sonic waves directly to the participant.

The Night Creatures Wildshow will see some of the zoo’s much loved-natives doing what they do best – moving at night. Taking place in the Variety Children’s Zoo, the show will run twice during the night catering for audiences at the 6.30pm and 7.45pm slots.

A very Australian affair, Light Creatures see the zoo teaming up with A Blanck Canvas, Elizabeth Close, Jack Buckskin, Vans the Omega and Slingsby Theatre Company to bring larger-than-life installations to audiences.

Light Creatures will run until 31st July. Two sessions will run Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 6.30pm which are close to selling out. An alternative is to attend other Illuminate events before heading into Adelaide Zoo for the 7.45pm session.

For more information or to book your tickets, please visit adelaidezoo.com.au/lightcreatures/.