By Press Times staff
GREEN BAY – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced the winners of the Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest, which include a Suamico fourth grader.
This year’s theme was “If You Care, Leave Them There.”
Fourth, fifth and sixth graders across Wisconsin were invited to submit posters that spread the word about keeping all wildlife healthy and wild.
“The Keep Wildlife Wild program began in 2014 with a focus on providing information about wildlife species’ natural behaviors, tips on how to determine if a wild animal is truly orphaned and what to do if someone finds a wild animal in need of assistance. The contest’s goal is to create a poster that teaches the importance of enjoying and observing wildlife in the wild and not keeping wildlife in homes or as pets,” a DNR release stated.
“During the warmer months of spring and summer, the frequency of human-wildlife encounters increases, especially those involving young wild animals. While most of these encounters are harmless, there are times when well-intentioned people disrupt wildlife because they mistake a lone baby animal for an orphan.
“The Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest is a fun way for kids to help spread this important message.”
Take first place in the fourth grade category was Elsa Wright from Suamico.
Placing second and third in the fourth grade category were Emerson Szerenyi, Delafield, and Abigail Herbert, Wauwatosa.
Other winners include: Fifth grade — first place, Thisbe Ellis, Freedom; second place, Avery Helland, Osseo; and third place, Charlotte Jaskolski, Delafield. Sixth grade — first place, Scarlett Olson, Suring; second place, Daphne Ellis, Freedom; and third place, Sanjivani Swaminathan, Greenville.
For more information, or to see other winning submissions, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/posterdesigncontest.html.