YOUNG biologists studying at Warrington’s Priestley College have experienced an inspirational visit to some of the most ecologically diverse parts of the world.
Priestley took 20 students to Ecuador where they worked with conservationists and veterinarians to rehabilitate animals while a party of 13 travelled to Eswatini to learn about local culture, tracking animals and identifying species.
“It was the most incredible, eye-opening experience I have ever been a part of,” said former Penketh High pupil Sophie Weston, who spent her time in Ecuador.
Each trip was on location for nearly two weeks carrying out research, working with animals and absorbing local culture.
In Ecuador, the students spent a week at YanaCocha Animal Rescue Centre where they trained and fed animals and worked with conservationists.
Their second week was spent at an ecological reserve in Tamandua where the focus was on conservation techniques and working with local tribes.
Among the highlights was a jungle hike to visit waterfalls and seeing a collection of weird and wonderful animals along the way.
In Eswatini students learned about local culture, how to track animals and identify species while in their second week at the Mbuluzi game reserve they found out how to set Sherman traps for rodents that were later studied by scientists.
Among those collecting data on this trip was Reece Delamere, who also studies Environmental Science alongside Geography at Priestley College.
He said the experience had confirmed he would like to work in conservation after university.
“I always thought it was marine conservation that I was interested in, but now I am going to keep my options open,” said the former Penketh High pupil.
The trips were organised by biology tutor Louise Naidu who said the experience had enriched the lives of those who took part and given them invaluable entries for their university applications and CVs.
She has now secured funding which will allow the trip to go ahead again next year, creating more opportunities for another cohort of aspiring biologists.
“The feedback we’ve had is that this was a life-changing moment for many of those who took part and that is what college is all about,” she said.
“This is something they will never forget and I have no doubt that many of these students are the conservationists and ecologists of the future.”
