COMMUNITY ANIMAL
A CLASS ACT Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parrots are at risk of extinction, but some eager young conservationists and their teachers are doing all they can to stop this from happening. WORDS Alegria
T
Alano
he Year 4 students at Grey Street Primary School in Traralgon have a special responsibility. Guided by teachers, Linda Bristow-Hood and Debbie Guy, they’re working on a yearlong project to raise awareness and funds for an animal in Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction program. “This year, they each researched an Endangered species, then took a vote and chose the Orange-bellied Parrot,” says Linda, who is a Zoos Victoria Member. Linda’s love of animals was the catalyst that first brought the program to Grey Street Primary School two years ago. “I love all animals and know how children respond to them – they’ve got that innate love for them as well,” she says. After approaching Zoos Victoria about adopting an animal, the school was invited to be part of the Fighting Extinction Schools program — something that Linda, fellow Year 4 teacher Debbie and the students were all excited about. “When Linda suggested the Fighting Extinction Schools program, we were all on board,” says Debbie. “I think animal conservation is an important concept that children can grasp.”
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