Learners from Origin and Lakeside Primary Schools recently enjoyed an insightful awareness session about leopard tortoises.

Learning about leopard tortoises

Frikkie Bekker, the man behind the awareness programme, visited the schools with two female tortoises to educate both junior and senior learners about the species. Bekker shared tips on what to do when encountering a tortoise and how to handle it safely.

“When one sees a tortoise, it is advisable to call the right authorities, such as Ezemvelo Wildlife. If you want to move the tortoise, you must move it facing the direction you found it. It is not allowed to keep tortoises as pets,” he explained.

Understanding tortoise behaviour and diet

Bekker further explained to the learners that tortoises are reptiles because they lay eggs and are cold-blooded. He also said that they are herbivores, as about 95% of their diet consists of grass.

He showed learners how to determine the gender and age of a tortoise. “We also have different types of turtles found in the sea and on land. We have the Cape terrapin, which is a sea turtle and is a carnivore,” he added.

Learners enjoy hands-on experience

The learners enjoyed the awareness session as Bekker asked random questions and they eagerly responded with answers. They were especially amazed to learn that the tortoises he brought along are believed to be between 50 and 70 years old.

Bekker also explained their habitats, organs and ways to protect them from potential diseases.

Opportunity to interact with the animals

Learners and teachers were also given the opportunity to interact with the two tortoises by gently touching their shells and legs, making the experience both educational and memorable.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.