Chester Zoo has launched new campaign to help UK wildlife thrive.
The zoo is encouraging communities across Cheshire to think about the wildlife that lives alongside them and offer a helping hand by creating wildlife friendly spaces.
During February half term, the zoo is hosting a range of events whereby families can get involved in building bird boxes and new homes for toads and hedgehogs, bird watching, and encouraging wildlife into their gardens at home and other community spaces.
Wildlife Connections project officer at the zoo, Manon Keir, said: “When people think of the zoo, they think about all the exotic species from all over the world that we are working to help conserve. But not many people realise that we are also working up and down the UK to help our native wildlife thrive, as in the last two centuries over 500 species have been lost.
“As a conservation charity we want to raise awareness about the amazing diversity of species living on our very own doorstep and give people the opportunity to create the perfect habitats for them so that they can live side-by-side with little disruption.
“We hope to give young people the opportunity to view animals as neighbours and encourage communities to build wildlife friendly spaces, so that birds, mammals, amphibians and insects can move around more easily to find food, shelter and a mate.”
Gardens and green spaces can become important stepping stones for wildlife to help them move around the landscape and to cope with changes in their environment.
Some simple actions can make a big difference to local wildlife and families can get involved with recording the different species all around and witnessing the impact of their actions.
For further information about the project, visit www.chesterzoo.org/connections
