A Royal Competition! (From Worcester News)

A Royal Competition!

9:38am Thursday 18th June 2009 in

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Twycross Zoo has become a part of the Prince’s Rainforest Project; a campaign aimed to raise awareness about deforestation and gain support from world leaders in developing new initiatives to ensure the rainforest is worth more alive than dead. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales launched this programme in 2007 saying “If we lose the battle against tropical deforestation, we lose the battle against climate change.”

The Prince’s Rainforest Project is working with schools across the country to support the education of young people about this issue and has joined forces with Sony to launch the Sony World Photography Awards. This competition is open to young people aged between 4 and 18 and Twycross Zoo is the ideal place to take part!

One of the categories is titled “Rainforests in your daily life.” It can be difficult in this country to grasp the seriousness of this problem but the long term complications caused by deforestation will be seen acutely on our own doorstep. Zoos allow us everyday access to the vast number of animal species affected by deforestation and to appreciate their importance. As The World Primate Centre, Twycross Zoo is perfectly equipped as a venue being home to 4 great ape species, numerous monkeys and a South American immersive tropical house exhibit.

Twycross Zoo’s own after school conservation club Eco Rangers have also been taking part. On the 20th May the pupils set out around the zoo trying to capture snap shots of some of our rainforest species including parrots, monkeys, gibbons, tapirs and the very special bonobos. The competition is open until 23rd October. We will have to wait and see how the Eco Rangers get on in the competition but why don’t you come to the zoo and join in?!

More information can be found about the project and the photography competition at: http://schools.rainforestsos.org/sony-photo-competition or contact Education Officer Sophie Stevens, at sophie.stevens@twycrosszoo.org.