Zoo staff in Falklands build school link

Published on Tuesday 13 January 2009 19:08

TWO education officers from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) have travelled to the Falkland Islands to teach school children there about Scottish wildlife.

During their month-long visit, Sandie Robb and Polly Phillpot will visit schools and youth groups, delivering lessons on the wildlife of Scotland as well as its habitats and history.

They will also address conservation issues during the trip which is part of the society's School Linking Programme that aims to link Scottish schools to others around the world.

Lessons about the Falkland Islands have been planned for pupils in 56 Scottish schools, a programme that will culminate in a School Linking Day at Edinburgh Zoo in June where Scottish pupils will speak to Falklands pupils via a webcam.

Speaking before she left, Ms Phillpot, the RZSS's senior education officer, said: "Sandie and I are very excited about the chance to travel to the Falklands and engage with young Falklanders.

"RZSS has had links with conservation projects in the Falklands for many years due to our collection of penguins at Edinburgh Zoo, so it will be a great moment when we see our first penguins in the wild."

She added: "We hope this link may create awareness and understanding of the differences and similarities between both countries' native wildlife and how we can help to protect it."