Living Desert Launches W.O.W Program

Some local students got to see a few wild animals in their own back yard. George Washington Charter Elementary School in Palm Desert was the first school in the Valley to host the “Wildlife On Wheels” program from the Living Desert.

The New Guinea singing dog put on quite a show for the students and was joined by a few friends from the zoo.

Deidre Ousterhout is the “Wildlife On Wheels” coordinator and says she loves promoting the environment and wildlife.

“This is what I look forward to the whole time. I like talking to kids and the animals really make it special for the kids,” said Ousterhout.

She took five animals that are only seen at the “Wild Wonder Show” at the Living Desert and are not on exhibit at the zoo.

“We had the kookaburra, New Guinea singing dog, the Savanna monitor, African crusted porcupine and Eurasian eagle owl,” said Ousterhout.

The program takes these animals to schools or events, changing the field-trip dynamic.

With some schools suffering financially, Ousterhout says the program is a good option to save some cash and still have a great experience.

“You have to pay for busing, you have to pay for the zoo admission; with us we can just come to you, and it’s a lot cheaper and the kids, it’s a nice break from the everyday classroom,” said Ousterhout.

The school’s principal, Allan Lehman, said he feels that the learning that comes from a program like this one, is not easy to forget.

“In this day and age it’s very expensive as far as transportation and admission to a number of different venues in the valley…You can maximize your learning where you’re not spending the time going to and from on a bus and the cost is quite reasonable,” said Lehmann.

Representatives from the Living Desert say all the animals are trained and used to being around people so safety is never an issue.