Central Florida Zoo partakes in World Oceans Day

Last Saturday, June 11, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens held its first “World Oceans Day” celebration. Interactive games and activities were featured to inspire and educate children about marine wildlife.
Several different stations offered kids an opportunity to learn about the world’s oceans. The event mainly took place in the bug zoo, where the zoo’s aquariums are held. Kids played electronic games, such as “Race to Midway Atoll,” to learn about the collection of polluted islands in the North Pacific Ocean, and had to locate the five major trash gyres, whirlpools of pollution, on a world map. A sea turtle shell and skull were on display, as well as a shark jaw and the invasive lionfish species within the aquarium. After learning about the problems facing marine environments, children signed promises as to what they would do to help, and taped them above the aquarium.
A scavenger hunt encompassed the zoo, in which children had to search for images of characters from Disney’s “Octonauts,” a popular kid’s show in which animals go on underwater adventures to explore and save wildlife.
The Central Florida Zoo partnered with the Monterey Bay Aquarium and their Seafood Watch program, along with the larger Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to put together the day’s events. The Seafood Watch program provides guides to buying sustainable seafood in the country’s different regions; pamphlets were handed out at each activity station.
The zoo’s main goal of participating in “World Oceans Day” was to educate and inspire children to take part in preserving marine wildlife.
“It’s astonishing what [children] absorb,” exclaimed Alix Black, the zoo’s Business Communications Manager. “Instead of just, ‘Don’t litter,’ we can actually get them involved in, ‘Why is littering bad? What happens when you litter? Why are these animals vanishing from the wild? What exactly can you do to help save these species?’ [...] We show them more personal ways that they can help…”
The day’s activities were managed by a team of six teen volunteers. They arrived before the event, and were divided among the stations. The zoo heavily relies on its volunteers to make its educational days possible; they have around 200 volunteers overall.
The zoo often participates in nationally recognized events that aim to involve citizens in the world around them. Coming up on June 18th, the zoo will be celebrating “World Giraffe Day.” “World Oceans Day” was officially held on June 8th, but the zoo decided to participate on the following Saturday, so that more people could be involved.
While the parents can likewise benefit from learning facts about wildlife conservation and the effects of pollution, the event organizers hope that the children involved earned a valuable lesson that they will carry with them.
Stephanie Allen, PR and Marketing Specialist for the zoo, described, “Young children, obviously, are going to be the future. And if you can inspire them at a younger age, that’s something that they’ll take with them throughout their whole life.”
The event was held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the only cost was that of zoo admission. “World Giraffe Day” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well. For more information, visit the zoo’s website at www.centralfloridazoo.org.

- Aida Lashinsky, Herald Reporter, ALashinsky@MySanfordHerald.com