Fourth Crossing Wildlife

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What to do With a Wiggling Wombat
by Linda Dennis
the inaugural "Wiggling Wombat" at
Trinity pre-school in Orange, NSW.

Story Time
Trinity pre-school in Orange, NSW.

Class photo
Trinity pre-school in Orange, NSW.

Class 3/4
Drummond Memorial School in Armidale, NSW.

ClassK12 (kindy and Y1 and Y2 of infants),
Gum Flat Public School near Inverell, NSW.


Class K12 group photo, Gum Flat Public School.


Class 345 (Yrs 3, 4 & 5 of primary school
Gum Flat Public School near Inverell NSW.

There are two sessions of "Wiggling Wombat", one for pre-schoolers and one directed at children in infants and primary school.
            
            
Although titled "Wiggling Wombat" the course covers all native animals including birds, kangaroos, reptiles, koalas, and of course wombats!
            
            
The course includes the following topics:
            
  • What do you do if you come across a wiggling wombat in distress?
  • How does your mum or dad pick up a wiggling wombat?
  • What do you feed a wiggling wombat?
                  
                                                     
In the fun filled program Linda shares stories of some of the native animals that have been in her care over the 20 years she's been a wildlife carer.
            
            
There was also a "take a wild guess" competition using photographs and the wonderful native animal soft toys that were donated to the program by the Australian Geographic Society and Mink Plush (a Division  of TomFoolery Holdings Pty Ltd).
            
            
Bookmarks featuring native animals, chocolate Freddo Frogs, Caramelo Koalas and Fruity Frogs are given as prizes.
            
            
During the competition Linda also displayes how to properly handle a native animal so that the handler and the animal are not injured. She also advises what the "nasty bits" are in each animal species, such as  claws and teeth (and in the male Platypuses case - the poisonous spurs!).
            
            
The two hour long presentation has the kids transfixed and keen to learn more. An eight page booklet titled "What to do with a Wiggling Wombat" is also eagerly received.
            
            
This mini-manual, which details correct handling technique, is distributed to all students for them to take home and share with their families.
            
 The Fauna First Aid program is not only fun for participants but also educational  and in the long run our precious native animals will benefit from Linda's knowledge  sharing.

The  more the community knows about rescuing and providing short term care for native  animals the better. And in the end, from a combined community effort, there will  be more animals that are received into care and rehabilitated by experienced wildlife  carers, resulting in more animals being returned to the bush…… which is exactly  where they belong.
            
If you would like to book a Fauna First Aid session for your school or community group please contact Linda at linda@fourthcrossingwildlife.com.
            
            
            
            
Quotes  from schools where Wiggling Wombat
has been presented
            
            
            
"Thank  you so much for visiting 3/4 at Drummond Memorial Public School.  The children found your talk very engaging and informative. The  children loved the assortment of Australian animal toys you had  and seeing and hearing the animals in your interactive whiteboard  presentation. We are now regular visitors to your website and have  enjoyed reading the animal's stories. The syllabus links with our unit were excellent as you brought our unit to life and the children could identify with the issues that humans present to the native                wild life. The students were fascinated by the different types of wombat and many went on to further research the wombats. We enjoyed  the talk and hope to have you back soon."
            
            
Jennifer Andrews
              Act. Assistant Principal
              Drummond Memorial Public School
            
            
            
            
            
            
"Fourth Crossing Wildlife presented their Australian Wildlife show at our  school recently. Two multi stage groups participated and each show  was engaging to all students. The models and whiteboard display                were first class as was the visit of the baby wombat which was in care at that time. Our children reacted with interest to Linda's  line of discussion and questioning and they were keen to follow-up                with the work materials left after the visit. INTERESTING, ENGAGING AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE - we could not ask for much more"                
            
            
Chisholm Bloch
Principal
Gum Flat Public School
Fourth Crossing Wildlife
e: linda@fourthcrossingwildlife.com
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