adel’s alphabet trail...organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of pesticides or...

Adel’s Alphabet Trail

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Branton near Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Sat Nav Postcode DN4 6TB • 01302 535057

www.yorkshirewildlifepark.co.uk

Think about itWhy do you think it matters if plants and animals become extinct?Extinction should matter to all of us. For millions of years, diferent species of plants and animals have faced natural extinctions, but what concerns scientists, is that right now animals are experiencing what we call ‘high extinction rates.’ This means that more animals are facing extinction than should be. Unfortunately, in most cases, it is human actions that are driving animals to extinction.

Why does extinction matter? Our existence is dependent on biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth. If you imagine earth as a puzzle, every species no matter how large or small it is, its into that puzzle. You may feel that you are not very fond of some animals that share our earth (such as cockroaches) so if they went extinct you would not care, but every animal has a purpose. If one animal becomes extinct then a piece of the puzzle is missing. When a piece of a puzzle is missing, it is not complete. Losing one plant or animal can lead to the loss of many other species.

The table below shows some of the worlds’ most critically endangered animals. If humans do not do something to help these animals – they all risk extinction.

It is hard to believe that beautiful animals such as tigers, Pandas and leopards may one day become extinct. Fortunately, around the world, conservationists are working hard to protect these species. At Yorkshire Wildlife Park we currently support conservation eforts that include the Painted Dog Conservation Project in Zimbabwe, The EAZA ape campaign, World Land Trust’s Running in Corridors and 21st Century Tiger. We also support native species conservation by maintaining our wetlands and woodlands. Keep an eye on our website to learn about our future conservation involvement.

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Answers to ‘Think about it’ sections

How many are left in the wildWhere they liveSpecies

Less than 3,000Southern and Eastern AfricaBlack Rhino

Less than 1,500BorneoBorneo Pygmy Elephant

Less than 1,500ChinaGiant Panda

Less than 600Sumatra and IndiaSumatran Tiger

Less than 300NigeriaCross River Gorilla

May be extinct in wildBrazilSpix’s Macaw

Less than 60Java/IndonesiaJavan Rhinoceros

Numbers unknownAtlantic OceanBlue Fin Tuna

Around 100 remainSouthern EuropeIberian Lynx

Around 100 remainNorth Carolina, USARed Wolf

Less than 40Korea/North ChinaAmur Leopard

Numbers unknownBrazilGolden Lion Tamarin

Numbers unknownMadagascarGreater Bamboo Lemur

Numbers unknownMadagascarSilky Sifaka




Think about itCompare what an ostrich feather looks like compared to a parrot feather.

An ostrich feather is big and lufy, they are the largest birds. Their feathers are not waterproof and there are gaps between the diferent parts of the feather so they cannot ly. When they try to take of the air goes straight through their feathers.

Parrots feathers are colourful as they live in the rainforest. Their feathers are waterproof as it rains a lot there. Parrots feathers are long, straight and strong with all the diferent parts of the feather together, this means they can ly.

Think about itDiferent animals have diferent needs. How would a lion’s nutritional needs difer from that of a meerkat’s?

Lions are carnivores so they need a diet that is meat – and meat only. In the wild, lions prey on animals like zebra and antelope. In Romania, the staf at Oradea Zoo could not aford to feed the lions their correct diet. The lions were therefore fed mainly chicken. In the wild, lions do not prey on chicken! Because the lions were not getting meat that was suitable for them, they were lacking in essential vitamins and minerals and were quite unhealthy. At Yorkshire Wildlife Park the lions are now fed red meat such as cow and horse. They are also given vitamins that are sprinkled onto their meat.

Meerkats are omnivorous. This means they eat vegetables, fruit and meat. Our meerkats get a variety of fruit and vegetables during the day. Their favorites seem to be grapes and sweet corn. We also feed our meerkats insects and chicken chicks. Our meerkats do not need vitamins because they receive such a varied diet.

Think about itYour back yard can provide a valuable home for native wildlife. What can you do to encourage

wildlife to visit and live in your back yard?

Parents tend to like neat and tidy back yards, but if you create a corner that is a bit more messy and natural, you will be sure to attract some wildlife! Piling logs in a corner of your garden, and just leaving them alone, is a great way to attract wildlife. Insects will be drawn to your log pile. Insects will attract other animals such as black birds, toads and of course hedgehogs. Hedgehogs may even use your log pile as a hedgehog hotel!

What if you do not have a back yard, but only a balcony? You can still plant some lowers in tubs or planters. Butterlies and bumblebees will feed from these plants and this will help them to pollinate other plants. Always try to plant native lowering plants.

If you put up a bird feeder in your back yard, you will join more than half of UK homes that already do! If you put up a bird feeder or table, and birds do not visit you, don’t give up! It might take a few weeks for birds to realize that it is there. Please visit the advice section on www.rspb.org.uk to learn more about feeding birds in your garden. Feeding wild birds can be a very rewarding experience.

Remember, no matter how small or large a space you have, you can still make a diference to wildlife.

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Think about itIf you could explore any of the world’s habitats which habitat would you choose? Why?

I am lucky to have travelled a lot. I have spent time in many diferent habitats, including beaches, rainforests, deserts and mountains. The three photographs below show some of my favorite places to spend time.

So where would you explore? A dripping dense rainforest, a sprawling sandy desert or perhaps a tropical island with warm sunny seas? Let your imagination take you there!

Think about itThink about a time you used cooperation to succeed at a task.

Cooperation can be the solution to achieving many tasks. I recently tried to put together a wardrobe. I very quickly found I was unable to put it together by myself. I telephoned a friend and with her help and cooperation I was able to construct my wardrobe in no time at all.

Animals such as meerkats, lions and Painted hunting dogs could not survive without cooperating with their group members. Meerkats depend on cooperation from their band members for almost everything they do. For example, one meerkat must always be on guard or sentry, to keep an eye out for predators. Meerkats do not argue about who will be sentry. They must know that being sentry is crucial to their survival. One animal will act as sentry for hours on end, and then another animal will take over the duty.

Lions and Painted dogs use cooperation to hunt. These predators are able to hunt larger prey when they cooperate. This means more food for their families.

Think about itWhich other animals in the park have hooves?

Zebra Camel Goats Ankole Cattle

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Great Ocean Road, Australia

Rydal Water, Cumbria Mountains, North Italy




Think about itWhen we shop for food, we are faced with a lot of decisions. Some of us try to buy organic fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy. Why might this be a good idea?

Fruit and vegetables in supermarkets tend to look very clean, very bright and ‘perfect.’ Fruit and vegetables are not naturally supposed to look like this. We have modiied them to look more appealing to us. If fruit and vegetables are not labeled ‘organic’ it means that they were grown using pesticides. Pesticides are used to kill plant pests such as fungi and insects. Fertilizers Many diferent kinds of pesticides are used in farming and some of these are believed to be potentially harmful to our health. Pesticides can also harm our environment by killing organisms they were not meant to kill.

Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. If meat is labeled organic it means that the animals were fed foods that did not contain pesticides or antibiotics.

Organic farmers work hard to take care of their food crops as well as our environment. Growing food without pesticides can be very hard work. Choosing to support farms that take care of the environment is a very positive way to spend your food pounds.

In addition to supporting organic farmers, we encourage you to support local farmers. By supporting local, sustainable and organic farms in your community you also support the larger community of which we are all a part. By eating animal products raised on such farms you provide the healthiest choice for your family and support the farms that contribute to healthy and ecological neighborhoods.

Think about itWhat are the six main animal groups?

The six main animal groups are amphibians, birds, arthropods, reptiles, mammals and ish

Think about itSome animals are poisonous. Some animals are venomous. How do poisonous and venomous

animals difer?

Animals use poison and venom for defense and also to kill their prey. Venom and poison are both toxins but they are delivered in diferent ways.

Venomous animals have venom in their body and they release it with a bite or a sting.

Poison is also stored in an animal’s body, but it is released through the skin. Animals use poison as a way to defend themselves against other animals.

The world’s most venomous and poisonous animals are:

1. Box jelly ish (Australia) venomous 2. King cobra – there are snakes that are more venomous than the king cobra (India) venomous 3. Cone snail (Australia) venomous 4. Blue Ringed octopus (Australia) venomous 5. Death Stalker Scorpion (Middle East) venomous 6. Stone ish (Paciic ocean) venomous 7. Brazilian Wandering Spider (Brazil) venomous 8. Inland Taipan (Australia) venomous 9. Poison Arrow Frog (Central and south America) poisonous 10. Pufer ish (tropics) poisonous

All of the animals in this list can kill humans. We are very lucky in Britain as we have very few venomous animals.

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Think about itRed squirrels are native to Great Britain. Grey squirrels are not. Red squirrels used to be found throughout Britain. Now they can only be found in a few areas, mostly northern Great Britain. What has happened to the UK’s red squirrels?

Britain’s red squirrels are in trouble. Predators, viruses, changes to landscape and the grey squirrel are major threats to our native red squirrel. During the last century, 170 species of our native plants and animals became extinct in the UK. Red squirrel populations are healthy on mainland Europe, but in the UK they are sufering a major decline.

If you live in Yorkshire, you might see squirrels regularly. The squirrels you see, however, are grey squirrels, not red squirrels and the simple fact is – grey squirrels do not belong here. Grey squirrels are an alien or foreign animal. They were introduced to England from North America in the 1800’s as an exotic species to live on the grounds of stately homes. Grey squirrels quickly spread out across England.

Grey squirrels eat more food than red squirrels and they are larger than red squirrels and because of this they have managed to ‘out compete’ the red squirrel and drive them out of their native homes.

The most signiicant threat associated with grey squirrels is the spread and transmission of a disease called squirrelpox virus (SQPV). It can take only one grey squirrel to introduce this virus to a local population of red squirrels, and then the virus can spread throughout the red squirrels with devastating efects.

Do Red Squirrels stand a chance?

Extensive scientiic research has identiied one habitat type that could give red squirrels a ighting chance against the threat of grey squirrels. Conifer plantation forests can help to alleviate both the competitive and disease threats associated with grey quirrels. Seventeen red squirrel reserves have been developed on this principal, and aim to protect stronghold populations of red squirrels remaining in England.

www.saveoursquirrels.org.uk

Think about itWhat is your favorite kind of insect? Why?

With over one million insects to choose from, this may be a tough decision! I have always been interested in insects. I think one of my favorite insects has to be the Giant Prickly Stick Insect endemic to Australia. These stunning animals can grow up to 20 cm long. They have the ability to camoulage and are, well, just incredible to look at!

One of my favorite insects seen here in the UK is the Hummingbird Hawk-moth. These moths migrate to England from North Africa and Southern Europe. They hover just like humming birds as they drink nectar from lowers. I have only seen one once, and that was at Doncaster’s Potteric Carr Nature Reserve. When we get our nectar ields established, hopefully they will visit us here at YWP!

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Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Branton near Doncaster, South YorkshireSat Nav Postcode DN4 6TB • 01302 535057www.yorkshirewildlifepark.co.uk

Think about itAnimals have adaptations to help them to survive in their habitats. What adaptations would be useful for living in a desert?All of the world’s deserts have one main thing in common – they receive very little rainfall though out the year. All animals living in deserts have adaptations to help them survive with hardly any water. Some desert animals such as YWP’s addax, can go most of their lives without ever drinking water! These animals get the water they need to survive from the plants they eat. Preserving water is crucial to desert animals’ survival.

Desert animals behave in ways to preserve their energy and water loss. A lot of desert animals are nocturnal. These animals hide in burrows during the day where it is cooler. They emerge in the evenings to hunt and forage.

Some desert animals have very concentrated urine. These animals do not pee often as peeing wastes water.

Animals such as YWP’s addax have lat, broad hooves that help prevent them from sinking into the deep sand of the Sahara Desert.

Reptiles have many adaptations. Being cold blooded uses far less energy than being warmblooded. Thick scales on skin prevent water loss.

Some animals such as the Bat eared Fox have huge ears. This extra large surface area helps keep the animal cool.

Think about itGreat Britain is home to 7 amphibians. Can you name them?

Britain’s seven amphibians are the Great crested newt, smooth newt, common newt, common frog, pool frog, common toad and Natterjack toad.

Think about itImagine you could ly! On your irst light, where would you go? What would you do?

There are probably not too many people who have not dreamed of lying! I recently visited the Isle of Mull in Scotland, and I think if I could ly anywhere right now I would want to soar over Mull with Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles! Where would you ly?

Think about itWhat are the beneits of living in a group?Protection in numbers Most hoofed animals such as YWP’s lechwe and Sitatuga, live in groups called herds. Lots of eyes mean better protection from predators. Quite often when prey animals such as antelope are eating or drinking, they are at risk of being attacked. Herd members will help keep an eye out during feeding times.

Better access to food Predators such as lions and Painted Dogs also live in groups. Each member of the group will work together to locate and hunt their prey.

Companionship Living in a group provides social interaction and companionship. Babies tend to be born around the same time and these young animals will grow up with others to play with. Animals such as YWP’s Painted dogs will take care of their elderly group members by hunting for them and keeping them safe from other predators.

Schooling A group of ish is called a school. Fish group together so that each individual has a better chance of surviving attach by predators.

Shared tasks for survival Meerkats depend on group members for survival. When meerkats are foraging for food, one member of the group must act as guard or sentry. This sentry will keep an eye out for predators.

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Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Branton near Doncaster, South YorkshireSat Nav Postcode DN4 6TB • 01302 535057www.yorkshirewildlifepark.co.uk

Think about itObserve the ducks and geese at YWP. Do you have a favorite duck or goose? What makes him (or her) your favorite? My favorite geese are the barnacle geese seen here. These two animals seem to think they own YWP! They can often be seen wandering around the contact yard bossing the goats and sheep around.

Think about itAnimals vocalize for many reasons. How many reasons can you think of?Animals may vocalize for the following reasons.

1. To warn each other of approaching predators, for example lemurs and meerkats

2. To let others know they have found a food supply, for example parrots 3. To mark their territory, for example birds singing 4. To scare of predators, for example the mongoose 5. To attract a mate, for example birds singing 6. To locate others of their species, for example horses

Think about itWhy do animals have stripes? Why do they need to camoulage? Can you think of any other animals that use camoulage?

Diferent animals use camoulage in diferent ways. Cheetah and leopards use their spots to camoulage, they want to get as close to their prey as possible without the prey spotting them.

Zebras use their stripes to hide from predators. Their main predators are lions. Lions can only see in black and white, so the zebra’s stripes blend into the blades of grass.

Think about itAs you walk around the park think about which sense diferent animals use the most? Who is best at seeing, smelling and hearing?

You have seen lots of animals today and they all use their senses in diferent ways. Here are some examples:

Birds of prey have very good eye sight so they can spot their prey on the ground while they are lying.

Painted hunting dogs rely on their incredible vision to locate prey.

Girafes have good vision so they can spot predators in the distance. They also have good hearing.

Lemurs have a good sense of smell, it is very dark in the rainforest where they live so they can’t see very far; instead they use their sense of smell to snif out their food.

Baboons have a good sense of smell and good eye sight. If they detect a predator they let out an alarm call. If a baboon hears this alarm call they run to the top of the highest trees on to the small branches where the big cats cannot reach them.

Rhinos have poor eye sight but extremely good hearing. Their ears can rotate independently, so one can be facing forward while the other ear faces backwards. They also have a good sense of smell.

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Think about itHuman actions contribute to animals becoming endangered. Around the world many species of animals are endangered for various reasons. Why do you think animals become endangered? The main danger to wildlife comes from human activities that destroy their natural homes. This happens when land is cleared for farming, mining or building.

Some animals are hunted to the point where they are in danger of dying out. The Siberian tiger is an example of an animal that has almost been hunted to extinction.

Sometimes animals become threatened when people introduce a new, non-native species into their habitat. The new species may compete with them for food or even kill them.

Both land and sea habitats are damaged by pollution such as pesticide or oil spills. Global warming is also afecting animals and habitats around the world.

Think about itWith so many new animal and plant species being discovered every year, how do you think scientists

decide what to name them?

Can you imagine discovering a plant or animal that has never been seen or identiied before? When a biologist inds a plant or animal (organism) he is unfamiliar with, they compare it to collections of similar plants and animals. If they cannot ind a match, the biologist can construct a new species name. This must be described in detail and published. New species are constantly being discovered and identiied so the process of naming them is ongoing.

When you look at a ield guide to lowers, birds or mammals, you are using knowledge acquired by many scientists over many years. All scientists begin by learning to recognize and name common species.

Think about itOwning a pet is a big responsibility. Some people buy pets and then realize they do not want them anymore. Sometimes people release their pets into the wild. Why is this a really bad idea?

If your pet escapes, or you purposely release it into the wild, this can be really bad for the environment. Read the following pointers to see why you should NEVER release your pet into the wild.

A pet released into the wild is a non-native animal. Many non-native animals will not have natural predators to keep their populations down. Their populations can therefore grow very quickly and afect other plants and animals in the ecosystem.

Pets can threaten other species. Burmese Pythons (snakes) released into the Everglades in Florida have become very happy in their new environment. They breed and grow in numbers. These snakes eat many of the native birds, mammals and snakes. In the USA, people release their aquarium ish into lakes, rivers and ponds. Many of these ish take over their new area and out-compete native ish.

Animals that do not belong in an environment are called invasive or alien species. Alien species in the UK include American mink, grey squirrel, Munt jack, Chinese Water deer, European Eagle owl and Turkish crayish.

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Think about itIn some countries, exotic animals are sold as pets. Do you think it is ok for someone to keep an exotic animal as a pet? Why or why not?Exotic animals are animals not normally kept as pets. Exotic animals are not domesticated meaning that they have not been bred to coexist with humans. Examples of exotic animals include meerkats, tigers and even parrots.

Can you believe that in the USA, people can keep tigers as pets? Keeping exotic animals such as tigers as pets is not really a good idea. Large cats such as our lions and tigers are dangerous. Even if they are raised by humans, when these animals grow up, all too often their wild instincts take over.

Large animals need room to roam. In the wild these animals will cover a lot of terrain during the day. How can the average pet owner provide enough land with safe fencing around it to house a large wild animal?

Snakes and birds are considered exotic as well. These animals can be challenging to care for. Most veterinarians are specialized in the care of domestic animals such as dogs, livestock, rabbits and cats. If an exotic animal becomes poorly, it can be diicult to ind a veterinarian who is knowledgeable on rarer exotic animals.

Here in the UK, some people think they want a meerkat for a pet. Meerkats will not make good pets for many reasons – sharp teeth, sharp claws, very smelly poo, their need to dig and forage and their need for a very large home, are just some of the reasons. One of the main reasons meerkats should not be kept as pets, is they are very social animals. They depend on each other for survival. One meerkat being kept by itself would lead a lonely life. If you know anyone keeping a meerkat as a pet, please report them to your local council. Keeping meerkats as pets is an animal welfare issue.

Think about itWhen we bring animals into our lives, we become responsible for them. There are ive main aspects of animal care. What are they?The ive aspects of animal care –

COMFORT Animals in our care should have a warm place to sleep and a tidy and dry home. Remember, no matter what pet you bring into your life, it will poo and pee and you will need to clean your animal’s enclosure daily.

HEALTH If you pet becomes poorly, you may have to take him to the vet. Remember, vet care can be expensive so this is something you need to think about before bringing a pet into your life. A proper diet, fresh water, a clean home and lots of room to roam in a safe environment will help keep your pet healthy.

SAFTEY Ensure your pet is kept in a safe enclosure. If you keep your dog in your garden, make sure your garden has a fence to keep him out of trouble. At YWP, we need to bring some of our animals, like our chickens and rabbits indoors in the evenings to keep them safe from predators such as foxes.

FOOD Make sure you research your pet so that you can provide them with a nutritious diet.

WATER All animals should have a constant supply of fresh water.

Think about itSome animals have weapons to protect themselves. As you observe the animals on the Africa Plains, how do you think each species protects itself?

Ostrich have strong thick legs that allow them to run very fast. Because of their size they do not tend to have any predators but lions will occasionally try and hunt them. Ostrich have a claw on each foot and a powerful kick can kill a lion.

Lechwe and Sitatunga use their beige coat colourings to camoulage themselves. Both these antelope are strong swimmers and will move into water to escape from predators.

Ankole cattle have thick strong horns. These horns are excellent weapons.

Zebra have stripes for a reason. When a predator is hunting zebra it gets confused with all of their stripes.

Provides learning opportunities for children to think and achieve.

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adel’s alphabet trail...organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of pesticides or...

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