Magizoology takes over as Edinburgh Zoo welcomes Fantastic Beasts

RZSS Edinburgh Zoo will welcome a new era of magic this December with special screenings of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Home to a number of rare and endangered animals, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo will play host to some of the wizarding world’s most famous beasts this December. Bringing J. K. Rowling’s magical wizarding world to life, the Zoo will be screening the much-anticipated film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them from 2 to 8 December. From pandas to penguins, Bowtruckles to Billywigs, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo provides the perfect setting to see the exciting new screening whilst also immersing yourself in the world of animals. 

From London to the heart of New York City and now to RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, Newt Scamander, a magi-zoologist, is on a mission to safeguard an extraordinary array of magical creatures for the benefit of future generations in the wizarding world.

Visitors will also be able to take part in a Fantastic Beasts trail around the Zoo, following clues to track down various J. K. Rowling beasts hiding in suitcases across the site. Each beast will provide the seeker with one or two golden letters which must be unscrambled to find the final location of the rare mythical Golden Snidget. Visitors who complete the trail and find the location of the final mythical creature will be entered into a competition to win magical prizes.

Fans of the film will also be spellbound by a magi-zoology lesson before the screening from one of the Zoo’s very own expert keepers. Plus there are other magical surprises including themed food and drinks available, such as the wizarding world’s most famous Butterbeer.

Many of the mythical beasts found in the trail such as the Erumpments, Bowtruckles and Nifflers link closely to the animals at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. The Erumpent is a huge magical beast with a single horn, much like the Zoo’s resident one-horned rhino, Bertus. Bowtruckles are made of bark and twigs, enabling them to camouflage themselves easily, like stick insects. The premise of magi-zoology links to the mission of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland by promoting the importance of conservation and safeguarding species from extinction.

Screenings will take place every afternoon from Friday 2 to Thursday 8 December in the Budongo Trail, plus midday on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December. Evening screenings on Friday 2, Saturday 3 and Tuesday 6 December. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £6 for children aged 14 and under. Or grab a ticket with daytime entry for £19 for adults and £14.55 for children (daytime screenings only). Children under 18 months go free.

For more information and to book your tickets please visit edinburghzoo.org.uk/fantasticbeasts

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