PICTURES: Mammals are focus for pupils at Wick primary school
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Pupils in Wick learned about mammals that can be found in and around the town during a visit from local countryside rangers.
The session with High Life Highland's rangers was part of the Caithness International Science Festival 2022.
They spent time with pupils at Newton Park Primary School and ran workshops to explore how Scottish mammals will be affected by climate change and how we can help them by providing habitats in Wick.
They looked at the wide variety of mammal species in the Highlands and how they were perfectly adapted to the environment, for example by looking at their skulls.
They also led an in-depth investigation of everything to do with bats – how they evolved from the furry insect-eating land mammals to the great variety of species we see today and why they are important to humans.
HLH countryside ranger Roz Summers said: “It was good to be back in person at this fantastic festival. Over the years the rangers have put on demonstrations, workshops and displays on various topics and this year we were continuing our 2022 theme of Scottish mammals.”
Fellow ranger Paul Castle said: “The pupils were fascinated and very well informed. They really got into the spirit of the morning and made valuable contributions to the debate.
"The science festival put on an extraordinary programme of international presenters and lecturers and we were very pleased to be part of it again. We are looking forward to next year already.”
High Life Highland’s countryside rangers run public events including guided walks throughout the Highlands aiming to raise awareness and encourage appreciation of the area's scenery, wildlife and heritage. They work with schools and other organisations in the Highlands to help promote and protect our wildlife and heritage.