SCHOOLCHILDREN are preparing to get really wild as they join a city safari of colourful creatures.

A ten-week stampede of zebras will arrive in Southampton as Marwell Zoo stages its Daily Echo-backed Zany Zebras sculpture trail.

The zoo has already had 33 schools and three Scout groups sign up to its education programme which will see youngsters design and decorate their own stripy sculpture.

One of the first schools to join the herd is Great Oaks School in Vermont Close, Southampton.

They were keen to take part after adopting Jules Rhinestone – their Go! Rhinos sculpture which pupils decorated with sparkling jewels in 2013 as part of a school-wide project.

Youngsters at the special needs school are now preparing to get creative again as they begin planning their zebra design.

They will take part in a competition to create the best design before the whole school gets involved in decorating the sculpture.

Head of art and key stage four manager Roger Hardy said: “The children love animals so it’s nice for them to learn about wildlife that they might not otherwise experience. It’s a great experience for special needs children and it’s a school-wide project so everybody will take part in it.”

The Zany Zebras education programme has been designed to stimulate the imagination and creativity of youngsters’ as they learn about Grevy’s zebra and wildlife conservation both in the UK and abroad.

Marwell’s Zany Zebras project manager Kirstie Mathieson said: “Our Marwell’s Zany Zebras project is a unique way to learn about Grevy’s zebras – it’s creative, interactive and fun.

“Once the trail goes live, thousands of people will be able to enjoy the work that pupils have produced. We can’t wait to see what designs Great Oaks and the other schools involved come up with.”

Go! Rhinos was created with the help of 57 schools from five counties and Hampshire Girl Guiding West and Marwell Zoo expects even more schools, colleges and community groups to get involved with its Zany Zebras project.

Some of the zebras will later be auctioned off to raise money for conservation work in northern Kenya.

There is still time for schools and businesses to get involved by designing or sponsoring a sculpture.

For information on the education programme visit zanyzebras.org.uk/schools or call 01962 777935.

To sponsor a Zany Zebra visit zanyzebras.org.uk/sponsors.