‘CONCRETE’ KIDS WHO ARE BAFFLED BY BEES
Fifth cannot identify insect
NEARLY a fifth of children do not know what a bee is.
Youngsters brought up in skyscrapers are increasingly ignorant about nature.
One in 10 did not know where honey came from and one in four have not seen a caterpillar in over a year.
And 17% of children in the UK have not been to a park or forest in the last 12 months.
Youngsters are better at identifying Pokémon characters than British wildlife despite a £10million government pledge to get them closer to nature.
The study marks the launch of Big Bugs on Tour at 13 intu shopping centres.
It is being backed by naturalist Chris Packham and features 12 supersized bugs including the honeybee, ladybird, hornet, swallowtail butterfly and the nut weevil. Springwatch presenter Chris said: “We are facing a crisis in our countryside. “I haven’t seen a single butterfly in my garden this year. More needs to be done to reconnect people with nature and start caring for and realising the importance of the bugs in your backyard.” Roger Binks, customer experience director for intu, added: “We know that a closer connection to nature makes people happier and Big Bugs on Tour is an opportunity to help educate adults and children on the importance of the bugs in their gardens and put a smile on their faces.
“We hope bringing them face-to-face with these giant British bugs can make a real impact in how they interact and reconnect with nature.”