The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) recently launched a new global education programme at the National Wildlife Crime conference in London – aimed at the next generation of wildlife protectors.
IFAW, which works around the globe to tackle illegal wildlife crime, joined wildlife crime officers and leading wildlife experts from around the UK at the enforcement conference, giving a presentation on the charity’s new education programme aimed at British schoolchildren.
The ‘Keep Wild Animals Wild’ education packs introduce pupils to what makes wild animals wild; why wildlife trade is a big threat to animals, ecosystems and people; and how to help keep wild animals wild. The education programme is free and aligned to the UK curriculum. UK Director of IFAW, Philip Mansbridge, said:
“At the current rate of illegal wildlife trade, species that have been on Earth for many thousands of years, such as elephants and rhinoceros, are now in severe danger of localised extinctions in the very near future. What a sad legacy that would be to hand down to the next generations. We believe education is key to inspiring and empowering young people to protect these and other vital species.”