Schools Wildlife Crime Project

For the 12th successive year Tayside Police wildlife crime officers are running their schools project with primary pupils in Tayside schools. This year 1500 pupils from 57 classes in 35 schools are taking part, with a welcome increase in schools from Dundee. 12,000 pupils have participated in this project since its inception.

The projects for the pupils this year are:

A drawing, in colour, of an animal, bird, plant or insect found in the wild in Scotland
A short story, "A day in the life of a police wildlife crime officer"
A coloured poster drawing attention to the disgrace of the continuing poisoning of birds of prey in Scotland
A wildlife law quiz

The marking of the drawings has just been completed. Alan Stewart, Tayside Police wildlife and environmental crime officer, who marked them, said,

"The standard of drawings is as high as I have seen it since the beginning of the project. It's clear that pupils have taken a lot of time over their work and have produced some stunning drawings. However I appreciate that not everyone is artistic, which is why the projects are varied. The next one – the story – gives a chance for those whose literary flair is perhaps their strength."

Alan continued,

"No project like this can take place without sponsorship. To give information to the pupils all classes were provided with an hour-long DVD on wildlife crime. For next year this DVD will be updated with changes in the law and its production will be sponsored by the Scottish Government. £1,500-worth of prizes is again being sponsored by Dobbies Gardenworld, Perth and Monifieth, and Scottish Natural Heritage is providing their auditorium at Battleby for the prizegiving on 5 May next year, along with a buffet lunch for the winners and parents."

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