STUDENTS OF UWCSEA ENRICH THE LIVES OF RESCUED ANIMALS!

Behavioural enrichment is essential to keep captive animals active and alert and to give them avenues to use natural behaviours.

Late last year, the ACRES wildlife rescue team embarked on a collaborative project with a group of students from United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA). We gave the class of students a workshop on behavioural enrichment for animals, and explained how the students could put their creative skills to use by making some enrichment tools for us. We decided to recycle or upcycle unwanted items to make them. After some discussion, we decided to make two tools. One was a platform bridge to enable the Indian star tortoises to have some physical exercise; they need to climb the platform to reach some dietary treats like flowers. The second item was a capsule made out of old flowerpots inside which food can be hidden. The aim was to hopefully encourage the pig-nosed turtles to investigate the tool for a tasty reward!

Last week, four students and their teacher, Rebecca Maynard, came to the rescue centre to try out the enrichment tools that they had prepared. They also got to learn about our animals and the work that we do.

This was a simple and excellent project through which students were able to upcycle used items, such as PVC pipes and flower pots, and apply their creativity to come up with some great enrichment tools!

We hope that through their project and their visit to the AWRC, the students have learned more about the animals and the illegal wildlife trade and why no one should ever buy exotic pets. We are planning more projects to get students more involved in making a difference for animals!

#ACRES #ACRESWildlifeRescue

Source: https://www.facebook.com/ACRESasia/photos/a.1015273971521652..

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ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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