THE Wildlife Warriors education programme at the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow) is in full swing with wildlife enthusiasts being given a peak into the rescue, rehabilitation and release of wildlife animals.
The Crow team recently educated 73 children from St Monica’s Children’s Home about wildlife conservation and how the centre helps wildlife.
For the presentation, Crow partnered with the One Smile Foundation from France, who donated funding for lunch and a cold drink for each child.
Crow’s operations director, Clint Halketty-Siddall, said the Wildlife Warriors programme aims to educate children and young people about the importance of wildlife conservation and environmental protection while inspiring them to take positive action in their everyday lives.
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“We are encouraging schools to join us for a fun and interactive educational experience. Education is key to conservation. Educating the next generation about protecting our natural resources is one of our founding principles,” he said.
The centre conducts visits at schools anywhere in KwaZulu-Natal and provides educational presentations to classes of any ages. The talks cover a range of topics, including what the centre does, as well as some of the rescue stories.
“We also cover environmental, conservation-rich subjects like the importance of ecosystems, animal adaptations, nature reserves and rehabilitation centres, taking care of natural resources and their role in conservation.
“Our holiday programme is held over school holidays at our education centre and is aimed at children aged between six and 12 years old.
“Through the programme, we strive to teach the next generation about environmental issues and the importance of wildlife conservation in a fun and informative way. Fun activities are planned every day to keep children entertained all while learning about animals and the environment.
“We also host schools at the centre in Yellowwood Park with activities and presentations are held at our education centre, which can seat up to 60 people.
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“Children will also be able to meet our tortoises in their enclosures, and learn about conservation and what Crow does by taking a walk through our educational displays,” added Halkett-Siddall.
Crow’s knowledgeable education officers conduct walks through the beautiful and serene Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve, which neighbours the centre.
Children are given the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat, and are taught about various plants and trees, helping them connect to conservation in a real, hands-on way.
Reptile shows are also conducted by Halkett-Siddall, a reptile aficionado, who offers reptile presentations, showcasing a range of live reptiles from alligators to pythons to lizards. The presentation will seek to answer a range of questions about the anatomy, habitat and behaviour of snakes like how to tell if a snake is venomous or not and what scales are for.
For more information, contact the centre on 031 462 1127.
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