Nandankanan Zoological Park Hosts Successful Orientation Programme for New Zoo Ambassadors

Nandankanan Zoological Park Hosts Successful Orientation Programme for New Zoo Ambassadors
Date-13th July, 2025

On July 13, 2025, Nandankanan Zoological Park conducted an insightful Orientation Programme for newly selected Zoo Ambassadors from 39 schools across the Khordha and Cuttack districts. The Zoo Ambassador Programme, launched in 2023, aims to foster a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation among school students, and this year saw 71 ambassadors selected following a competitive examination on December 12, 2024. Hon’ble Minister for Forest Environment and Climate Change, Govt. of Odisha had earlier declared the ambassadors for 2025 during the 65th Foundation Day celebrations of the park. These ambassadors will serve as important link for spreading awareness and encouraging participation in conservation efforts.

The one-day orientation camp was led by the Education wing of Nandankanan. The students were provided with a comprehensive overview of their roles and responsibilities as Zoo Ambassadors, and the significance of their work in raising awareness about wildlife and conservation, not only within their schools but also in their communities. The camp was a blend of educational theory and hands-on practical sessions aimed at nurturing the ambassadors' interest in wildlife conservation. The students were engaged in diverse activities as follows

1. Citizen Science Programmes included “Know about Birds” and “Know about Trees”
2. Nature Journaling to capture their observations about the environment
3. Seed and Leaf Identification to enhance their knowledge of local flora
4. Origami to foster creativity in recycling materials
5. Interactive Quiz
6. Best out of Waste
7. Extempore Speech sessions to enhance communication skills and awareness

A highlight of the day was a guided Zoo visit, which allowed the ambassadors to directly connect with the diverse wildlife at Nandankanan. At the conclusion of the programme, each Zoo Ambassador was awarded a certificate of participation for successfully completing the camp. A feedback session followed, where the ambassadors, their accompanying teachers, and parents shared their experiences and expressed enthusiasm about replicating the activities in their schools. The orientation programme was a huge success in motivating the young ambassadors to carry forward the message of wildlife conservation, and the participants were keen to implement their learning’s in their respective schools. The second batch of the Zoo Orientation Programme is scheduled to be conducted on 20th July, 2025 continuing the momentum of Nandankanan Zoological Park’s impactful educational initiatives.