Ferne Animal Sanctuary

Ferne Animal Sanctuary Uses Lift & Learn to Educate Young Visitors About Farm Animals

Overview‍

Ferne Animal Sanctuary, located in the heart of Wambrook, England, is a cherished destination for families, schools, and animal lovers. As part of their mission to promote animal welfare and education, the sanctuary wanted to find a fun, accessible way to teach children about the many animals they care for. By introducing XTAG® Lift & Learn technology into their educational spaces, Ferne transformed passive displays into engaging, interactive learning stations—perfectly suited for young visitors and school groups.

Challenge‍

Ferne’s education team wanted to enhance the visitor experience, especially for children who learn best through play and interaction. Their goals included:

• Making learning about animals more engaging and memorable
• Supporting school visits and aligned curriculum learning
• Reducing pressure on staff to deliver the same facts repeatedly
• Creating an inclusive learning tool for all ages and reading levels

The Solution: Interactive Animal Education with Lift & Learn‍

Ferne implemented a Lift & Learn system featuring realistic animal models—including pigs, cows, goats, sheep, and chickens—each embedded with a light or motion sensor. These models were placed on specially designed plinths within the education centre and visitor areas.

Here’s how it works:

• A child picks up the animal they’re curious about
• A nearby screen comes to life with fun, age-appropriate video content, including: animal facts (e.g. what they eat, where they sleep, how they help on the farm), sound clips of the animas and short animated stories and quizzes
• Teachers and parents can guide the learning, or children can explore independently—making it ideal for both group visits and casual family days out.

Results‍

The addition of Lift & Learn has had a noticeable impact on the educational value of visits:‍

• Children are engaging for longer periods at each animal station
• Teachers reported higher information retention during follow-up classroom activities
• Families appreciated the interactive, hands-on approach that worked across different age groups
• Staff noted that the displays spark more questions and curiosity, enriching conversations with visitors

Conclusion‍

With Lift & Learn, Ferne Animal Sanctuary has made learning about animals more than just reading signs—it’s now a playful, memorable experience that educates and inspires. This use of interactive technology supports the sanctuary’s mission to connect young people with nature, foster empathy for animals, and make learning fun for all.

At Ferne, curiosity starts with a lift—and leads to a lifelong appreciation for animals.