Earlier today, over 150 pupils from different schools in Wakiso district took charge of the care, of animals at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre in Entebbe.
UWEC which has a section of a childrens zoo within the centre, gave the young learners an opportunity to feel and feed the animals at the centre as such rabbits, tortoises, young crocodiles and a variety of birds. This coincided with the celebration of the International Day of Zoo and Aquarium Educators, that aims to promote education in zoos and aquariums as a way of mobilising the general public towards conservation.
Participating children were drawn from several schools within Entebbe Municipality, Katabi town council and Kajjansi town council.
Francis Ruhinirwa, an education officer at Uganda Wilflie Conservation Education Area, said the children’s zoo offers young learners an opportunity to feed and feel some of the animals as well as cleaning their holding facilities.
“With time, children will also be able to milk some of the domestic animals kept at the zoo. We shall then have inculcated the spirit of nature conservation among the young ones,” Ruhinirwa stated.
It was during the same engagement that management of UWEC launched a book detailing some of the zoo stories.
Emmanuel Mukisa, one of the book authors said, the initiative will help in the continous sensitization of young learners on matters to do with wildlife and environment conservation.
According to Mukisa, 90% of the animals at UWEC were rescued from wildlife traffickers while others became victims of human-wildlife conflict.
“We therefore need to tell such stories to young learners with an emotional sense and sensitise them on how humans and animals can co exist in the same environment,” Mukisa explained.
David Musingo, the Chief warden at UWEC intimated that the book, among other subsequent editions will be detailing not only the animals stories but also the challenging experiences that the animals and rescuers go through as a result of human-wildlife conflicts and trafficking.
The book is expected to supplement efforts by UWEC to popularise conservation education cross the country.
— Africatembelea Press
