Re: [vernalpool] Re: Amphibian Residents for Classroom

Jessica,

I don't believe in the "brick option" either. The brick is a graphic
illustration to a teacher to think of what must happen to the animals at
the end of the lesson, school year or teacher's career. Humane
euthanization, not a brick, is one option but not a good one to me.
Certainly, I would hate to think a teacher acquires an animal with the
intention of killing it at the end of the lesson.

Leo

On 3/24/2012 8:35 PM, KestrelE wrote:
>
> Hello, I enjoyed reading all this thoughtful dialogue about whether or
> not, who, and how we should ever keep amphibians for educational
> observation. I agree that we can't just be haphazardly kidnapping
> animals and subjecting them to the perils of life in a school. I also
> agree that exposure to wildlife is a key factor in inspiring lifelong
> interest, study, and protection of wildlife. Many classrooms house non
> native creatures that may do well in captivity but may not connect to
> learning about life in the students' town. My personal philosophy is
> to aim for as little disruption to the natural environment as possible
> while still exposing people to it and building knowledge and
> connection. When I have worked with schools with ready access to
> outdoor areas, I have usually done everything I can to bring the
> students to ponds rather than the ponds to the students. At the moment
> I am in a teaching position with very low likelihood that I will be
> able to facilitate a field t rip to a vernal pond. My intention was to
> ask for ideas about ways to bring some amphibians in for study that
> would be as low impact as possible for them. I was thinking someone
> might already be keeping tree frogs and be willing to loan them, or
> that we might borrow them from the wild and follow quarantine rules
> and re-lease to point of capture. I completely agree with Leo Kenny
> (except for the brick part), that it is not responsible to ever
> release a captive animal to a non native habitat (and in some cases
> not even back to the native habitat.) Really not sure about the brick!
> I do want to say that I put quite a lot of effort into teaching
> students about native animals and how to find them in the wild and
> observe them safely in their natural habitats. Since my students asked
> for a frog to live in our room, I also have been talking a lot with
> them about native amphibians and the issues involved in their care . I
> am still not certain what I will do, but thanks everyone for all your
> helpful thoughts!
> Jessica
>
> --- In vernalpool@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:vernalpool%40yahoogroups.com>, "uncledj66@..." <dforbes@...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Jessica,
> > In general, I agree with Carol, but I also think that tolerance for
> captivity varies widely among species. I see eastern newts in beaver
> ponds and farm ponds everywhere. I suspect they can tolerate a wider
> range of living conditions that other species, and could handle living
> in a tank for a while. I'm no expert, but maybe someone here could
> recommend how to keep some newts in such a way that their lives are
> not impacted to heavily.
> > ~Doug
> >
> >
> > --- In vernalpool@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:vernalpool%40yahoogroups.com>, "KestrelE" <kestreleducation@>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello, I am looking for gray tree frogs and / or eastern newts who
> could be residents of a middle school science classroom from soon
> until mid - June. We are doing some vernal pool and general ecosystem
> studies. I have experience caring for these. Not sure if I need an
> educational permit, as well. Does anyone know of anywhere I can find
> these, or do you have some you could allow my classroom to hold onto
> until June? If it's better, we can keep them permanently or release
> them to site of capture after the school year is over, all depending
> on situation and what is best for the animals. There are no non native
> animals in the classroom and the amphibians will not be handled by
> students, only observed.
> > > Thanks,
> > > Jessica
> > >
> >
>
>

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