Preschool Students Get Visit From Fort Wayne Zoo Creatures
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Students at Good Beginnings Preschool and Warsaw's Alternative Learning Center Monday got up close with live animals from the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.
"Wombat" Wanda Remissong and Nancy Bradtmiller, both education instructors with the zoo, presented a "Wildlife for Sale" program to the ALC students, and an "Amazing Animals" program to the preschoolers. The programs are funded by Dekko Foundation grants.During the "Wildlife or Sale" program, middle school and early high school students learned about the economic, social and ecological impact of the international wildlife trade. During the one-hour program, students got to see and feel the hide of a zebra, and learned about endangered species and poaching. They were taught how an ecosystem is in balance, but how that balance is tipped when an animal or an entire species of animal disappears.
Tony England, director of the Alternative Learning Center, said the classroom presentation and activities meets state standards for science.
The 60-minute "Amazing Animals" program offered preschool students a chance to see five different animals live. They heard Casey, a Senegal parrot, as it sat on its perch; let an African millipede crawl over their hands; saw a White's tree frog move around in its plastic container; and petted a fat-tailed Gecko and an African hedgehog named Ziggy.
Before each animal was presented, Remissong talked with the children about the various features of amphibians, reptiles and mammals. She also taught the preschoolers songs to sing along with her about each animal.
The Fort Wayne Zoo has more than 1,500 animals. The programs are delivered to schools, libraries, festivals and at the zoo. For the traveling programs, Remissong said they have about 30 different species to choose from, including doves, owls, parrots, chickens, spiders, cockroaches, an armadillo and a balled python.
The Fort Wayne Zoo closes Sunday, but reopens for Halloween in the afternoons beginning Oct. 19.
For more information about the zoo programs, contact the zoo's education department at 260-427-6808, e-mail education@kidszoo.org or visit online at www.kidzoo.org
