FIRST EVER WILDLIFE COUNCIL MADE UP OF KIDS IN ASIA!

Ten children have been given their first taste of life in the corporate world, being offered a position on a “council”. These ten, aged between seven and 12, have been appointed as Wildlife Heroes, complete with a “salary” of RM8,000 by Sunway Theme Parks (STP), in a unique and unprecedented initiative to showcase the educational and wildlife offerings in two of the corporation’s properties – Sunway Lagoon (SL) and Sunway Lost World Of Tambun (SLWOT).

The 10 finalists are Ahmad Iszuddin Ahmad Izham, 11; Alexandria Ng, 9; Alyssa Warren, 10; Anna Huggel, 12; Cahaya Rain Thomas, 10; Medina Zahara Onn, 10; Ng Zhang Hui, 10; Nickhil Aaron, 11; Owen Lim, 12 and Shernyn Tay, 12.

The kids answered the call of the wild to send in their applications and beat out hundreds of others across Malaysia for the stint and a position on the council, to monitor and advise on matters relating SLWOT’s Petting Zoo and SL’s Wildlife Park as well as learn about how the “residents” of these locations are cared for and looked after.

The ten newly-appointed Wildlife Heroes attended their very first council meeting at SLWOT. Throughout the 3 days, the junior Wildlife Heroes developed several skills from camping outdoors to pitching tents, water safety and confidence workshop, building a raft, and embarking on a night trekking exploration at the mysterious and historic Gua Datuk.

Their educational journey continued as they traversed through the 6th Mile Tunnel admiring the stalactite formations in mud and water whilst studying the great outdoors. Then, they were brought on an interactive tour and the Animal Centre, before proceeding to the Lost World Night Petting Zoo tour.

The kids will hold this position for an entire year with various responsibilities including convening for quarterly meetings where they will get to experience and learn many facets of wildlife conservation, while deliberating ways by which the offerings and the running of the Petting Zoo and Wildlife Park can be further improved. Following each meeting, they will also earn a patch to be attached onto their uniform.

During the second council meeting, the most promising council member will be appointed as the Chief to lead the council and receive a further incentive of RM4,000 after the completion of the year-long programme, in addition to the RM8,000 which will be received by each of the Wildlife Hero.    

“Children today are more discerning and astute than ever before,” says Calvin Ho, Senior General Manager of Sunway Theme Parks. “As such, we came up with this programme to not only showcase our wildlife offerings in Sunway Lagoon and Sunway Lost World Of Tambun, but also show that both destinations are more than just theme parks and also a conducive learning environments. This programme is proof that you’re never too young, and we take their participation seriously. In my opinion, the experiences they will go through is priceless,” he added.

Sunway Lost World Of Tambun’s Petting Zoo features a large variety of exotic animals in an environment created as close to nature as possible. Visitors are allowed to see, feel, feed and play with the many diverse species of animals that roam within painstakingly curated enclosures. The Petting Zoo also brings a little bit of Africa home, with safari animals such as giraffes, zebras and ostriches roaming freely in their natural setting. The action and adventure continue after dark at SLWOT’s Ultimate Night Park.

On the other hand, the Wildlife Park at Sunway Lagoon is an interactive and educational zoo featuring exotic, small, and friendly animals from a range of birds, reptiles, and mammals – home to more than 150 species from all around the world. In addition to the extensive list of animals which are found within the Wildlife Park is the lush green space filled with unique attractions and learning areas.

More information about Sunway Lost World Of Tambun and Sunway Lagoon can be found at www.sunwaythemeparks.com.