Introduce your pupils to pangolins this World Animal Day
Calling all teachers – Born Free’s latest pangolin assembly is the perfect way to inspire young people.
(c) Maja Gudehus
With World Animal Day taking place on Sunday (4th October), what better time for schools to plan an assembly to inspire young people about wildlife and conservation? This year, Born Free is inviting teachers to introduce their pupils to one of the world’s most fascinating but threatened mammals… the pangolin!
Pangolins really are remarkable animals. Having roamed the earth for over 50 million years, they play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. A single pangolin can eat an incredible 70 million insects each year, keeping their numbers in check.
They’re also the only mammals in the world who are covered in scales, making their appearance more reptile than mammal. Sadly, these scales, perfectly evolved to defend them against larger predators, are also their biggest weakness. An insatiable demand for pangolin scales for use in traditional medicine has led to them being the most trafficked animal in the world. Of the eight species of pangolins, over half are endangered.
What better animal therefore to spark conversations about conservation, the importance of wildlife and our relationship with the natural world this term?!
To help teachers bring this topic to life, Born Free’s Community Engagement Team has created a brand-new All About Pangolins assembly resource, which is now available on our Teacher and Educator Hub (sign up for free!) This assembly has been designed to introduce pupils of all ages across primary schools to this charismatic, but lesser-heard of species.
With ready-to-use PowerPoints and easy to follow teaching notes, it provides teachers with an engaging way to mark World Animal Day with their school. With fun facts and integrated videos, pupils can learn all about pangolins, the threats they face, and small actions we can take to protect wildlife around the world.
To make learning even more accessible across a range of abilities and needs, the resource also includes a version suitable for children with SEN, featuring Widgit Symbols, to support reading and comprehension. This addition will allow even more learners to engage with the content and enjoy learning about these incredible animals.
Whether you’re a class teacher, headteacher, or home-educator, this World Animal Day, celebrate pangolins and encourage the next generation of wildlife champions. Download Born Free’s All About Pangolins assembly resource and help your pupils discover why these incredible animals deserve our protection.
Happy World Animal Day from Born Free!