Some of the book authors on stage during the presentation of the Future For Nature Awards to Ruthmery Pillco, Anthony Waddle and Kumar Paudel. Photo Robert Meerding The book is an initiative of the Future For Nature Academy (FFNA), a Wageningen-based platform that encourages young people to contribute to nature conservation. Five of the stories are written by WUR students and another three stories are by staff of the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group.
Children play a central role in all the stories. Like Djamila, a young African girl who helps free an illegally captured chimpanzee. Or Louisa, who helps researchers get sloths in Costa Rica to cross from one tree to another, using ropes.
The story of Ada, Nilo and Davi – three Brazilian children trying to stop poachers and save endangered animals in the rainforest – was written by Janneke Troost (teacher and PhD student at the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group). ‘It is challenging but also fun to write a story for children. You have to think about how children’s fantasy works and how to convey the story.
Tapirs
Every year, three young conservationists from around the world receive a Future For Nature Award, Troost says. ‘All the stories in the book are based – sometimes loosely – on the real stories of those winners. For example, my story was inspired by Patrícia Medici, who founded the Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative in Brazil in 2008.’ The first printing (1,000 copies) is running fast, she says. ‘The second printing is on its way. We are also looking into writing a second book based on other inspiring stories of winners.’
Superstition plays an important role in Troost’s story. ‘For example, a pink river dolphin appears, thought to steal rowboat paddles. Or a crab-eating fox, which is said to bring bad luck. Such forms of superstition affect how well animals are protected.’ Each story has a QR code that links to a page where children can download a talk package. ‘With speaking engagements, they can in turn inspire other children.’
Hope
The book should give children hope, says Troost. ‘Just like Jane Goodall always did. By putting children in the lead role, we hope that children who read it might think: I too can make the world a bit better.’
‘De geheimzinnige vissendief’ is (in Dutch) available at Kniphorst, zoo souvenir shops and online. All proceeds go to nature conservation.
Translated with DeepL
