Year 10 Geography Zoo Excursion

On the 19th of March, our Year 10 Geography students visited the Werribee Open Range Zoo to study the causes of deforestation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the impacts of deforestation on Gorilla habitat, and how the global community is responding to protect Gorillas from extinction.

Our students joined a workshop held by one of the zookeepers where they discussed the four primary causes of gorilla habitat loss in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and what has caused gorillas to become an endangered species. Our students brainstormed which of these causes they felt was most significant and the impacts these issues are having on both the global community and the ecosystem of the region.

Following this, the students embarked on a safari tour of the Zoo, exploring other endangered species that are protected by Zoos Victoria, including the Lions, the Scimitar-horned Oryx and the Southern White Rhinoceros. For each of these animals, the tour guides discussed the causes of their endangerment and the global responses attempting to conserve these species for future generations.

The Werribee Open Range Zoo would like to congratulate the students for their active participation in the activities, especially on such a wild, windy day, as well as their excellent attitude towards learning about the endangered species of Africa. Our school is incredibly proud of these students and how much they learned on such a big day for Year 10 Geography and for our School!

-Ash Sevior (Geography Teacher)