{"id":38708,"date":"2024-07-25T11:48:04","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T09:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/52e115f5-aa27-4e9c-a576-aa91b1eb1491"},"modified":"2024-07-25T13:26:39","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T11:26:39","slug":"one-in-three-children-have-never-watched-wildlife-in-a-park-or-garden-study-finds","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/one-in-three-children-have-never-watched-wildlife-in-a-park-or-garden-study-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"One in three children have never watched wildlife in a park or garden, study finds"},"content":{"rendered":"

The study also reveals that seven out of ten young people have never seen a cow being milked and around one in five have never fed ducks. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 25 July 2024 at 09:48 AM<\/p>

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A third of young people have never watched birds or other wildlife in their garden or a park, according to a new study by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals\u00a0<\/strong>(RSPCA)<\/strong>.<\/p>

The results of the Animal Kindness Index<\/a> report raise worrying concerns about children\u2019s access to animals and the natural world, says the animal welfare charity.<\/p>

The RSPCA’s annual Young Photographer Awards aims to encourage young people to venture outside and get close to nature. Last year’s winner was Alex George, with his photo ‘Golden Glow’. Credit: Alex George<\/figcaption><\/figure>

What the Animal Kindness Index found<\/h2>

The Index showed that seven out of ten children and young people (aged seven to 15) have never seen a cow<\/a> being milked<\/a> and around one in five (21%) have never fed ducks<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

The latest polling also revealed that 85% of children and young people call themselves animal lovers, a figure that drops to just 58% of 16- and 17-year-olds.<\/p>

This ‘compassion gap’, where older teenagers and young adults have less interest in animals than their younger and older peers, is concerning, says the RSPCA.<\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s impossible to overstate just how important it is that children and young people develop a relationship with the natural world early on in their lives,” said RSPCA Chief Executive, Chris Sherwood. <\/p>

“We want to see a world where animals are treated with kindness and respect and so teaching children about the needs of animals, their unique personalities, and our impact on nature, is crucial to achieving this. <\/p>

“Spending time watching birds and wildlife in gardens, community green spaces or parks is so important as it helps to create an understanding of the natural world\u00a0and how we might protect it.\u201d<\/p>

\"RSPCA
Jamie Smart’s photo ‘Head Under Water’ was commended in last year’s ‘Under 12’ category. Credit: Jamie Smart<\/figcaption><\/figure>