URBANIZATION, ANTHROPOMORPHIZATION AND WILD FAUNA – AVOIDING CONFLICTS AND IMPROVING COEXISTENCE WITH THE HELP OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (Atena Editora)

Abstract

The problems caused by wild animals living alongside humans in urban areas can lead to environmental imbalances and animal abuse. Therefore, it is crucial to engage in a dialogue with the population to resolve or mitigate these issues. With this goal in mind, this project aimed to discuss the significance of local fauna, the appropriate behaviors for the public when they come into direct contact with animals, and the agencies that can be contacted for the rescue or removal of wild animals in the municipality of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The project was conducted at ``Colégio Dom Aguirre`` in seven 7th-grade classes, involving 122 children aged ten to eleven. After preparing the materials for the interventions, they were shared through interactive slides, providing information on the environmental importance of the most well-known species in the municipality of Sorocaba. This allowed students to share their experiences and insights with the presenters. To assess the project’s effectiveness, a “pass and repeat” quiz game was conducted with the participating students. The project yielded positive results, as the groups answered the questions without any errors, and the students displayed great interest in the topic. This project successfully contributed to the children’s knowledge acquisition, focusing on the environmental importance, basic care, and appropriate behaviors when encountering wild animals. As a result of the project’s outcomes, it is expected that the children will share the information they have acquired with their parents and others in their community.