The National Zoological Park in New Delhi, run by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, held a series of events on World Rhino Day to educate the public about rhinoceros conservation. The park’s activities included a first-of-its-kind training session for teachers managing school eco-clubs, drawing participation from 12 Delhi schools.
What the park did
Teachers in charge of eco-clubs from 12 schools across Delhi attended an orientation programme at the Zoo. During this session, they were briefed on the National Zoological Park’s environmental education work, nature-based learning activities, citizen science projects and other outreach efforts. The Zoo’s Director spoke with the teachers about strengthening ties between schools and the Zoo for environmental awareness.
The orientation also discussed how schools could take part more actively in workshops, awareness campaigns and competitions held during important environmental days throughout the year.
Alongside the teacher training, the Zoo conducted other World Rhino Day activities. Staff held a drawing activity and gave a public talk at the Zoo’s exit where they discussed rhinoceros species, their role in nature, their current conservation status and threats they face in the wild. At the rhino enclosures, Zoo keepers spoke to visitors about how rhinos behave, what they eat, how they are cared for daily and how the National Zoological Park manages them scientifically.
The National Zoological Park currently houses one adult female rhinoceros named Anjuha.
What this means for you
If you are a school teacher managing an eco-club, the Zoo is now offering orientation programmes to help you connect your students with wildlife conservation efforts. Students in Delhi schools can look forward to more workshops, competitions and awareness activities organised by the Zoo around environmental occasions. As a visitor to the Zoo, you now have access to better-informed staff who can teach you about animal behaviour and conservation needs.