What survival skills can kids learn from animals?

Kids growing up in the city may not need to hunt for food or defend themselves in the wild, but in observing animals, they can gain skills that are applicable to the modern world.   Survivalism, resource management, self-control. Not really built-in abilities in your garden variety, suburbia-raised kid, right?   “Kids can use these type of lessons to survive in our so called 'civilized world'…because let’s face it... It’s a jungle out there!" said Jamie Aditya, who co-hosts “Adventure 8: Zoo Games” with his wife Nathalie Mercier.

Learning to control one's natural instincts was one lesson the children learned from the wildlife-based series, said Aditya who shared that "in some cases the animals really would have liked to have eaten the kids."   "They saw how animals adapt their behavior to their environment in order to survive. For instance, lions will actually learn patience and tolerance from their zoo experience. . .all their natural instincts scream 'Eat the keeper!!' yet they don’t. . .this shows incredible constraint and control on their part," said Aditya in an e-mail interview with reporters.   Safety first with animals   On a trip to the zoo, kids can meet different animals, but their encounters are usually limited to saying hello from the other side of the cage.   Of course, safety comes first, but there's a lot more that kids can learn, given the opportunity to actually interact with the animals. On the show, kids go behind the scenes with zoo keepers and veterinarians, and participate in the process of caring for the animals.   "Each experience has the children walking away with lessons learned pertaining to conservation, animal survival skills, and basic animal caring skills," Aditya explained in an email interview with reporters.   Getting to interact with the animals was exciting for the children, according to Mercier. "It was an amazing experience for the kids, only they couldn’t get enough of the animals. . .the whole experience was magic," she said.   The hosts also had several unforgettable experiences, including giving an ultrasound to an endangered Tapir. "I actually got to see the little unborn infant Tapir moving around in it’s mother’s womb. . .Magic moment!" Aditya said.   Simulated hunger games     The kids participated in various games, which follow specific themes such as food, communication, survival, danger, animal smarts, senses, diversity, conservation and responsibility.   Divided into teams, they compete with each other using the lessons they learned under each theme. "Players are awarded points for their creature caring skills, team skills and overall game performance. At the end of the show, points are tallied up and he or she with the most points is crowned 'King of the Jungle,'" Aditya.   For parents who want to give their children learning opportunities by exposing them to animals, Aditya's advice was to prepare the kids.   "Make sure their kids go with an open mind, don’t advertise fear and show the animals the utmost respect... especially if their interaction occurs hours before feeding time. . .oh and never ever leave a child unattended with the rare giant diurnal horned, winged, amphibious Tarsier!" he said.   Extra precautions for the animals   As the hosts learned in Zoo Games, the combination of children and animals means extra precautions are necessary. "In show business, when one works with children or animals one must expect the unexpected. . .as this show involves both. . .need I say more?" said Aditya.   Mercier shared that the show is interesting to parents because it reveals the children's personalities. "It’s interesting to see the children's different characters, how they cope with pressure and how they can work their strengths and weaknesses together for the good of the team," she said.   Meanwhile, children can also learn about conservation and zoo-keeping. "It’s the complete package and they get a game at the end which is fun," Mercier said.   Aditya believed the show encouraged kids, including his own children, to focus on wildlife conservation.   On the show, kids encountered many wildlife creatures, including a giant Aldabra Tortoise, a Reticulated Python, a White Rhino, and endangered Orangutans.   According to Aditya, learning about the environment is very important when it comes to the development of children and their knowledge. "The conservation of flora and fauna ultimately effects us all. We only have one Earth to live on. To save one species. . .is to save us all," he said. –KDM/KG, GMA News "Adventure 8: Zoo Games" premieres daily at 7:30 p.m., starting Saturday, March 16. Encores daily at 10:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m and 10:30 p.m. starting, Sunday, March 17 on Discovery Kids.