Locals to learn about conserving wetlands at Flufftail Festival
SAXONWOLD – Learners and adults will attend the festival to learn about the importance of conserving wetlands.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/02/IMG_1937_14402.jpg)
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo are hosting the 6th annual Flufftail Festival on 7 and 8 February.
The aim of the festival is the engage and educate youth about the importance of safeguarding water, protecting wetlands and conserving water birds.
The white-winged Flufftail bird is critically endangered and one of the rarest wetland birds to date. Only about 250 birds exist worldwide and approximately 50 remain in South Africa. Drastic measures need to be taken to protect these birds and other species whose survival depends on wetlands.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/02/IMG_1949_14418.jpg)
The festival will begin on 7 February when 390 Grade 6 learners will take part in an educational day at the Joburg Zoo, while on 8 February, 400 youth between the ages of 18 and 35 will be bused in from local communities around southern Gauteng to participate in the festival.
Learners play memory games @JoburgParksZoo for the #FlufftailFestival @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/10LLNUPfnW
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) February 7, 2020
Learners will be exposed to interactive and educational talks, hands-on exercises, water-testing, quizzes and more.
Children watch an educational puppet show @JoburgParksZoo for the #FlufftailFestival @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/HG3XBVZo9j
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) February 7, 2020
Children learn about protecting wetlands @JoburgParksZoo for the #FlufftailFestival @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/o9vwQgM0za
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) February 7, 2020
MMC for community development Margaret Arnolds said, “With the adverse effects of climate change, water scarcity is already a reality in South Africa. It is without question that we help create young environmental activists who are passionate about saving our natural biodiversity.”
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