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The preservation and importance of wetlands - crucial to keeping ecosystems in balance - was the topic of learning at the Johannesburg Zoo on World Wetlands Day.
Touch and feel: schoolchildren get up close and personal with an exotic bluetongue skink from Australia
ON a somewhat windy and drizzly Monday morning, a gregarious group of white pelicans waddled along the Johannesburg Zoo's man-made wetland, greeting dozens of schoolchildren standing just a metre away.
The children, in grades one and two and aged between 7 and 8 years old, had taken time out from their classrooms at Matshidiso Primary School in Katlehong and Siphiwe Primary School in Ikaheng to learn about wetlands and their importance to biodiversity.
The occasion was World Wetlands Day, observed annually on 2 February. The day is designed to raise public awareness of wetlands and their importance in an ecosystem. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.
During the morning, the schoolchildren learned about the religious, historical and archaeological value of wetlands, and the variety of species - which use wetlands as their habitats - that are used as barometers to determine the healthiness of the environment.
"Heitha," said popular seven-year-old Asanda Nhlapo from Siphiwe Primary, his little hands showing a seven, a street gesture for hello. He was wearing neatly ironed grey pants, a yellow school T-shirt and black shoes with untied laces.
"Today, I was taught about how animals living in water need us as children and all people to protect them. And that the wetlands in which they have established their habitats are very important to the environment."
He also learned not to pollute water.
Pollution
Jane Maema, an educationalist at the zoo, says it's important to teach children about wetlands, because "wetlands are everywhere, even around our neighbourhoods. So it is very important to take care of wetlands and not pollute the water because it might result in a severe case of cholera."
The manmade wetland in the white pelican enclosure
Wetland conservation should be taught to young children because "when they grow up they will know how to protect biodiversity through conserving wetlands".
In a press statement, Letta Madlala, the brand and communications manager at the zoo, notes that celebrating World Wetlands Day helps the zoo to share some of its experiences while educating the young about wetlands.
Deona Brough, the zoo's manager of education, points out that very little is known about wetlands, even though they are cradles of biological diversity.
Wetlands are areas of waterlogged soil with a shallow layer of water on the surface, which is either seasonal or permanent. The soil type is unique and distinctive plants grow in the wet conditions. These reeds act as natural filters, so improving the quality of water.
The plants and soil play a crucial role in water purification, since they have the capacity to remove toxic substances that come from industries, discharge and mining activities. Wetlands are a habitat for insects, fish, frogs, birds and vertebrates, and are also a source of reeds used for thatching, hut construction and baskets.
Significance
They have significant religious, historical, and archaeological value among local communities. For example, the Vhavenda people use Lake Fundudzi in Limpopo province for cleansing rituals and ceremonies, mythical and cultural purposes. It is also believed by the Zion Christian Church, or ZCC, that the water in this lake has healing properties.
A jovial group of schoolchildren from Simphiwe Primary School visit the zoo's wetlands
Madlala says that through the celebration of World Wetlands Day, the zoo confronts conservation issues and actively promotes conservation. The aim is to educate and inspire zoo visitors to play an active role in the conservation of biodiversity.
"These efforts may make a significant contribution to global sustainability."
People are urged to report the abuse or degradation of wetlands to their local nature conservation offices, agricultural extension officer or the Department of Environmental Affairs.
South Africa has at least 12 wetlands of international standard and importance, including the vast St Lucia wetland in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Langebaan on the west coast, Barberspan in Gauteng, and the De Hoop Vlei in Western Cape.
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