Antarctic Day at Zoology Museum

Scientists from the Cambridge-based British Antarctic Survey (BAS) will be on hand to talk about their latest research and explain why the small, shrimp-like animals called krill are so important, what methods are used to map the vastness of Antarctica and how they combat the hostile conditions on the coldest and windiest continent on Earth.

The seas around Antarctica are home to the magnificent albatross but 19 of the 21 species are threatened with extinction. Find out more about these amazing birds and how you can help them survive with displays and family activities by the RSPB and Birdlife International’s Save the Albatross campaign. Families can also make their own penguin and enter the Antarctica drawing competition to win BAS goodies.

Visitors will have a chance to try out BAS equipment including specialist clothing and a polar tent. Sleeping bags and food supplies will also be on display. Comparisons can be made to the equipment used by Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton. The Friends of the nearby Scott Polar Research Institute will be present and the ‘Antarctic Adventurers’ re-enactment group will recreate a sledging party from the ‘Heroic Age’ of Antarctic expeditions during the early twentieth century complete with reindeer skin sleeping bags and clothing right down to the underwear!

"We look back in wonder now at how they managed to survive without advanced technology and materials like plastics” said Antarctic Adventurer, Mick Parker. “We have made a reproduction Nansen sledge, Scott tent and Nansen Cooker and restored a suitable Primus stove and are building up a collection of scientific instruments including a theodolite and sextant." There will even be the chance to see the fatty food rations called ‘pemmican’, as featured in the recent BBC TV series Blizzard: Race to the Pole with modern-day explorer Bruce Parry.

The event will also be the last chance to catch the exhibition Due South Art from the Antarctic by John Kelly who spent three months with the British Antarctic Survey in Antarctica in 2003. Kelly will be there on the day to talk about the experience and his work including collections of ‘specimens’ from the windswept beaches and an albatross sculpture with a three metre wingspan.

Dr John Shears, Head of Environment and Information at BAS, said: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to talk about our work to a wider public. Antarctica is a key component of planet Earth and BAS is a world leader in Antarctic research. We employ over 400 staff and, from our site in Cambridge, provide all that they need to live and work in the Antarctic. This includes operating five research stations, two Royal Research Ships and five aircraft."

The University Museum of Zoology is on Downing Street in Cambridge and admission to the museum and the event is free. For more information call 01223 336650 or visit https://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk/