Orientation Programme for Zoo Ambassadors at Nandankanan Zoological Park
On July 20, 2025, Nandankanan Zoological Park hosted a dynamic Orientation Programme for newly selected Zoo Ambassadors representing 25 schools across 15 districts of Odisha. The participating districts included Jharsuguda, Puri, Bolangir, Bargarh, Kendrapada, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Khordha, Ganjam, Rayagada, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Koraput, and Sundargarh. Launched in 2023, the Zoo Ambassador Programme is a flagship initiative aimed at cultivating a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation among school students. For the 2025 cycle, 71 ambassadors were selected through a Zoo Ambassador Selection Test held on December 12, 2024. These ambassadors were officially declared by the Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, Government of Odisha, during the 65th Foundation Day celebrations of the park. Serving as vital links between the zoo and the community, the ambassadors will play a key role in promoting conservation awareness and encouraging public engagement in protecting wildlife. The one-day orientation camp, conducted by Nandankanan’s education team, offered the students a detailed insight into their roles and responsibilities as Zoo Ambassadors. Emphasis was placed on the significance of their mission—not only within their schools but also within their broader communities.
The orientation was thoughtfully curated to combine theoretical learning with hands-on experiences, aimed at fostering enthusiasm for wildlife conservation. Students took part in a diverse range of engaging activities, including:
1. Citizen Science Initiatives, such as “Bird Basics and Identification Techniques” and “Know Your Trees from Plant Parts”
2. Nature Journaling to document and reflect on environmental observations
3. Seed and Leaf Identification exercises to deepen understanding of local flora
4. Origami Sessions promoting creativity and recycling awareness
5. Interactive Sessions, including quizzes, best-out-of-waste activities, and extempore speeches, designed to enhance communication and environmental literacy
6. A storytelling session hosted at the Zoo Library and Digital Hub
7. Bird Walk and Tree Walk experiences curated especially for accompanying teachers and guardians
A key highlight of the day was a guided tour of the zoo, offering ambassadors a direct and enriching encounter with Nandankanan’s diverse wildlife species. The programme concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, acknowledging each student’s successful completion of the orientation camp. A feedback session followed, where ambassadors, along with their teachers and parents, enthusiastically shared their experiences and pledged to replicate the learnings and activities in their respective schools. This orientation marked a resounding success, inspiring the young ambassadors to actively champion the cause of wildlife conservation. Earlier, the first batch of the Zoo Orientation Programme was conducted on July 13, 2025, with participation from 39 Zoo Ambassadors representing Khordha and Cuttack districts. In total, 64 Zoo Ambassadors from 16 districts have successfully completed their first orientation camp for the 2024–2025 sessions.
