Youngsters Get Up Close and Personal with World Wildlife

Children and young people with vision impairment got the opportunity to get up close and personal with fascinating animals, reptiles, and insects recently.

They got to see mice, a corn snake, Madagascan cockroaches, a rabbit, a guinea pig, a tarantula, and a chicken as part of a Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Shape and Share event in Scotland.

“My favourite animals were the cockroaches and the chicken. I also liked touching the snake,” said 10-year-old Oliver from Aviemore, who is severely sight impaired.

RNIB’s Shape and Share events, which run throughout the year, are aimed at encouraging children and young people with vision impairment to make new friends, try new things, and engage in some much-needed fun.

"We had a wonderful time with the animal handler from Animal Man’s Mini Zoo,” said Katrina Thomson, Family Support Officer.

“This was a fantastic opportunity for the children to get up close to some amazing animals and learn some interesting facts.”

To find out more about RNIB’s Shape and Share events visit https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/supporting-others/parenting-a-child-with-a-vision-impairment/family-support-and-events/