Safari Launches Free Children's Photo Competition

‘Does Your Photofit?’ is a special photographic design competition that will metaphorically, put the cat amongst the pigeons! The premise of the competition, which is open to all school age children in Northern Ireland, is to bring together images of different species and make up a unique creature, while learning about animals and their habitats. The overall winning entry will be used to promote Safari’s main two-day event in September 2012 and will be used in posters, flyers and other advertising material. [caption id="attachment_30248" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Enjoy a day at Safari "][/caption] With three age categories, (5-10; 11-15; 16-18), the competition has been designed to bring fun into learning and is completed in a few easy steps. The first step, ‘Creature Create’ is akin to piecing together the face of a wanted person, as  each entrant is asked to use up to six photographs to ‘Creature Create’ their own species. Next, the ‘Name Your New Species’ section identifies the new species. (But names such as Archie and Lucy won’t do!). Lastly ‘The Science Bit!’ sets the learning task as each entry must include an outline in less than 60 words, of the actual species name in each image used; the country of origin plus the habitat and conservation status. The competition opens on Sunday 30 October 2011 when further details of prizes and other relevant information will be available at safarilive.info and at the Safari launch event. Only one entry per individual in the three listed categories is valid and all images used must be original. The closing date is Friday 25 May 2012. Why not visit this year’s launch event and get a taste of what’s in store at next year’s two-day event! [caption id="attachment_30250" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Otus the long-eared owl"][/caption] Aside of a great day out, visitors will learn all about animals from domestic to exotic, find out more about animal management and how they can help conserve endangered species, through talks on the day. In addition to this, expert veterinary advice is on hand and the opportunity to talk to the people behind Northern Ireland’s leading wildlife charities, such as The Rare Breed’s Survival Trust, R.S.P.B., Ulster Wildlife Trust, National Trust and other exhibitors on the day such as Northern Ireland’s new woodland pet burial company, Down To Earth (NI). And don’t forget to meet up with the donkeys from The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust on the beach! Other exhibitors include IKEA, various craft stalls and Fab faces face painting, who will help transform younger visitors into a little animal character of their choosing! And for those who want to actively take part in the event, a children’s recycled Halloween animal themed, craft workshop from Blue Frog, is available.  Or take the chance to get into a creature-comfort zone with the animal menagerie from Mantella Environmental. A free drop-in nature-inspired workshop, will also take place, where participants will help create the event’s mascot, a large willow squirrel, with artist, Jim Russell. Safari runs between 10.30am and 5.00pm on Sunday 30 October at Crawfordsburn Country Park. For further information please visit www.safarilive.info]]>