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Gianyar, Bali (Metrobali.com)-

Bali Safari & Marine Park remains tireless in its efforts to persuade the public to become more environmentally aware. In this vein, during the celebration of National Flora and Fauna Day, the Bali Safari & Marine Park Team invited 55 children for the Widya Asih and Permata Bali orphanages in Karangasem, East Bali to spend this special day dedicated to nature at the 40-hectare Park. During their visit, the kids were treated to a number of unique experiences designed to familiarize them with nature and become acquainted with just a few of the marvelous animals with which we share this world.

 Among the activities prepared for the children’s visit included a tour of the Park on the motorized Safari Journey that brought them through separate areas reserved for the animals of Africa, Asia and Indonesia. The kids also had the opportunity to interact with the majestic herd of elephants that make their home at Taman Safari and assist in the feeding and grooming of the Sumatran Jumbo’s via the “Junior Mahout Program.” Later, at the “Elephant Show” the eager visitors learned about the threat to Indonesia’s dwindling elephant population posed by the encroachments of civilization. But, without doubt the day’s highlight was premium seating at the hour-long Bali Agung performance depicting the life of Raja Jayapangus that involved hundreds of performers – both human and animal, presented on Southeast Asia’s largest stage.

 The Education Team of the Park rounded out the day for their young visitors by setting a challenge to hunt for hidden seedlings for trees that they later planted to enrich the plant diversity of Bali Safari. Working in five separate groups and questioned after the planting, the children all managed to derive a common lesson from the experience: that everyone can make a positive impact on the natural environment through an act as simple as planting a tree.

 William Santoso, General manager of the Bali Safari & Marine Park commenting on the visit, said: “We feel an obligation to celebrate National Flora and Fauna Day as a means of renewing our commitment to save and preserves Indonesia’s wildlife and rich wild gardens. This day also allow us the chance to invite children from local orphanages so they can be embraced by our community of workers and animals in the hope that they will grow up to become adults that share a genuine concern for the natural environment.”

 Since 1992, National Flora and Fauna Day (Hari Cinta Puspa dan Satwa Nasional) is celebrated every November 5th. According to the Chairman of National Flora and Fauna Day (HCPSN), Tony Sumampau, the activities held across the nation on this date strive to change public awareness and evoke the public’s sense of care and affection for the rich biodiversity found in Indonesian. RED-MB