Students write to their new 'pen pals'

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Over 500 kids from a public elementary school here capped the celebration of World Environment Day by writing letters to animals, asking that they become friends.

The activity is part of the “open zoo” event organized by Silliman University at its Center for Tropical Conservation Studies (CenTrop).

Grades 4, 5 and 6 pupils of the North City Elementary School were treated to free admission to CenTrop where among the highlights is the critically endangered Philippine spotted deer. CenTrop is also home to other endangered species, like the Negros bleeding heart pigeon, the Visayan tarictic hornbill and the Visayan warty pig.

“Silliman organized this open zoo event to spark interest in the animals among the kids,” Mark Raygan Garcia, organizer and SU information director, said.

He said most of the pupils know about the zoo, “but we felt there was a need for us to develop within them an affinity for the animals.”

“When the students are able to name their favorite animals and write to them as they would a human friend, the animals become a part of their life. We hope this will inspire them to show the same affection and care for animals outside the Center,” Garcia explained.

The pupils were toured through five stations featuring various animals. Environmental messages were infused in the tour managed by the Corps of Campus Ambassadors. Jean Utzurrum, education officer of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc., explained why the animals are in the Center and how the pupils can help put them back in the wild.

After the tour, they gathered at the Silliman grandstand where they were given paper and crayons. They were encouraged to find a name for their favorite animal in the Center and write a personal letter to it.

A grade 4 pupil, Trisha, considered the bleeding heart pigeon as her new friend and named her “Sophie.”

“Dear Sophie, I like you because you are a beautiful bird. I know that you are friendly. Maybe your little bird will grow up well. I would do anything for you. I just want to see your happy face,” she wrote.

Arjun, from the same grade level, named his giant fruit bat “Brandon” and wrote: “I want you to be my friend because you are silly and funny. You hide your face every time you open and close your wings…I promise I will not cut a tree.”

For easy recall, a nine-year-old named her newfound friend “Snake.”

“Dear Snake, I like you because you are just sitting patiently, not like the others jumping. I want to visit you every weekend. Good luck and take care. Truly yours, Andrea.” 

The teachers expressed delight at the activity, saying it was educational and enriching.

“It’s not my first time to be in the zoo but I appreciated that there were Campus Ambassadors at every station who talked about the animals,” teacher Zoe Menguito said, adding, “There were students who came up to us and said that they really enjoyed their field trip. Some proudly showed their letters.”

Silliman has also extended the same opportunity to other private and public schools in Dumaguete City.