As customary, Bolivia´s Children's Day was celebrated on April 12that the VestyPakos La Paz Municipal Zoo. The Wildlife Conservation Society was invited to give a presentation to school students visiting the zoo. On this occasion we focused on Bolivian wild cats. Four panels were developed describing the main characteristics of the nine species, their distribution, type of habitat, some aspects of their diet and threats to their survival. Talks were accompanied by a short audiovisual exhibitionof Bolivian wild cats. Masks and stickers of wild animals(Andean armadillo, Andean cat, Andean bear, maned wolf, jaguar, white-lipped pecary, giant otter, tapir, short-eared dog, spider monkey) were given to all children.
Approximately 380 students and teachers from Ave Maria, Vida y Verdad and Natalia Palacios schools participated in the activities.The older students wrote messages about environmental conservation, and out of the 86 messages written 39% corresponded to wildlife, with recommendations on animal care and control of illegal hunting and wildlife traffic. The other messages emphasized the problems of garbage, slash and burn agriculture and deforestation; highlighting the importance of environmental care.
This is the third year that WCS has supported the efforts of Vesty Pakos Municipal Zoo to communicate scientific knowledge about wildlife, contributing to raise awareness on the importance of conservation amongst 3960 pupils of 43 elementary schools from the cities of La Paz and El Alto.