Animal ambassadors engage learners at Milton Elementary

Milton Elementary students had an exciting morning Sept. 18, when Coastal Wilds educator and zookeeper Michael Puciul brought animal ambassador friends to visit the school.

Puciul brought a variety of endangered animals to visit, to help him share his knowledge and expertise about the different species. “When students meet animals that are on the endangered species list, it makes conservation real for them. These experiences spark curiosity and compassion, helping young people understand that their choices today can make a difference in protecting wildlife for tomorrow,” he said.

Along for the visit were Arlo, a chinchilla who was originally a house pet, but was surrendered to Coastal Wilds after his owners could no longer care for him; Salt, a Madagascar lesser hedgehog tenrec; Blue, an Indonesian blue-tongued skink; Moxie and Millie, two African giant millipedes; and Twila, a spectacled owl.

“Mr. Michael and his animal ambassadors gave our Milton Elementary students a truly unforgettable learning experience,” said Dr. Clara Conn, Milton Elementary principal. “Experiencing the animals up close reinforced what students are learning or have learned in their American Reading Company units and brought those lessons to life, all while also inspiring a greater appreciation for wildlife and conservation.”

Coastal Wilds is a zoological park in Frankford where guests can experience unforgettable animal encounters and learn about real-world conservation efforts.