9、Partnerships for a Healthy Future for Wildlife and Humans

 

BO　XIANG

Chengdu Research Base Of Giant Panda Breeding, China

 

Due to the poaching of wildlife, economic development and culture, wildlife trade has become one of the top three types of illegal trade globally. Many species in trade are now endangered, or have become extinct. Through a visitor survey in zoos in China, our results report that the majority of people realize the importance of protecting wildlife, but are not emotionally connected or interested in wildlife preservation, and don’t know how to protect wildlife. As one of the top conservation facilities, a living science museum, and the first and largest conservation education department in zoological gardens in China, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is designing an educational exhibit and training program for zoological educators to help stop wildlife trade.
How can we spread the philosophy of conservation to more people effectively? Through teachers who build the future of our world. They prepare young minds for the success or failure of human society. We are conducting a conservation education training program for pre-service teaching students at Sichuan Normal University. The goals are to train future teachers to be professional conservation educators, and share their experience with students in their classrooms. The efforts will provide hope for a healthier future for humans and wildlife.