Pupils enjoy animal encounter…

Chetwynde primary pupils enjoyed a lively hands-on learning opportunity this week as part of their topic on endangered animals.

The children from reception had the chance to interact with animals including a blue macaw, grey parrot, baby tortoise and a white chinchilla.

Highlights included the playful grey parrot which managed to fly up to the top of the theatre before the presentation started and when it was held could “pretend to fall” on command.

Teacher Sorrel Brown organised the visit from Pet Encounter Cumbria as part of the pupils’ endangered animals topic, which has also included forest school sessions, learning about bees and making beautiful camouflage creations.

Teaching assistant Janet Brown, who attended, said the chance to interact with the animals had brought learning to life.

“The children absolutely loved it,” she said. “One of the parrots was very noisy which they thought was great and the children got to hold the chinchilla.

“There was particular emphasis on species facing declining populations in the wild and the visit will help them remember important facts about endangered species.”

Lottie said: “The blue macaw was my favourite because of its colours but that’s also why it’s endangered as people try to take its feathers.”

Meanwhile Reevah said the white chinchilla had been her favourite. “We got to stroke it and it was very fuzzy,” she said.