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 (RSPCA).
The results of the Animal Kindness Index report raise worrying concerns about children’s access to animals and the natural world, says the animal welfare charity.
What the Animal Kindness Index found
The Index showed that seven out of ten children and young people (aged seven to 15) have never seen a cow being milked and around one in five (21%) have never fed ducks.
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.
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.
“It’s 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.
"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.
"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 and how we might protect it.”
RSPCA Young Photographer Awards
In a bid to encourage children and young people to venture outdoors, get closer to nature and inspire the next generation to help create a better world for all animals, the charity is once again opening its annual RSPCA Young Photographer Awards.
The 2024 competition, hosted by RSPCA President Chris Packham, is now open and encourages young people to appreciate all animals by capturing inspiring photos of pets, wildlife and farm animals.
“We’re incredibly excited to see the amazing photos being entered into the competition this year and we hope this will help to inspire a deep connection with the animal kingdom now and in the future,” said Sherwood.
The free-to-enter competition is open to all young people aged 18 and under. Entries close on 15 August.
Main image: 'Companions for Life', runner-up of the 'Pet Personalities' category in the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2023. Credit: Thomas Rikkerink
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