This week’s primary school assembly topic explores a fascinating story from San Francisco and opens up a broader discussion about animals at work, their welfare, and our responsibilities towards them. This Week’s News: Pac-Man the Hawk In San Francisco, USA, a Harris’s hawk named Pac-Man has been employed to deter pigeons from entering the El Cerrito del Norte metro station. Alongside his handler, Ricky Ortiz, Pac-Man works three days a week with the goal of clearing pigeons from the station entrance and platforms, protecting both the station and its passengers. According to Ricky, there has already been a noticeable reduction in pigeon numbers since Pac-Man began his work. Why Was Pac-Man Hired? San Francisco’s public transport stations, with their nesting ledges, platforms, and pipes, are ideal environments for pigeons. However, pigeon droppings are not only unsightly but can also pose health hazards due to the potential presence of harmful bacteria. As a sociable and friendly breed, Harris’s hawks are well-suited to working with people and being in busy environments. Simply having Pac-Man present is often enough to keep pigeons away, thanks to their natural fear of predators. Occasionally, Pac-Man will chase pigeons, reinforcing the message that the station is not a safe space for them. Understanding Hawks Hawks are birds of prey, renowned for their hunting abilities and exceptional eyesight—up to eight times better than humans. They can live for 13-20 years and can dive at speeds exceeding 150mph. Female hawks are usually larger than males. There are many species of hawks, including goshawks and sparrowhawks. Typically, they inhabit woodlands and forests, using their short, rounded wings and long tails to maneuver swiftly among trees and bushes. Animals and Work: Exploring Other Examples Pac-Man’s role in San Francisco is just one example of animals employed for specific tasks. Across the world, animals help humanity in various ways, from police dogs and horses assisting law enforcement to cats keeping rodents at bay in homes and government offices. In Africa, giant pouched rats are trained to detect landmines using their extraordinary sense of smell—they are light enough to tread over mines without triggering them. Some animals are also involved in entertainment, performing in shows or providing rides, while many animals, like farm animals, are integral to food production. These examples demonstrate that animals can be trained for a range of duties, often described as 'having a job.' Reflection: Responsibility and Wellbeing While it is clear that animals can play important roles in our lives, their wellbeing must be a priority. Animals, like humans, deserve a safe and enjoyable working environment where they can thrive. When humans choose to train and teach animals to do jobs, it is their responsibility to ensure these animals are cared for, kept safe, and happy. Children, too, have the right to be protected from any work that could be dangerous or detrimental to their health or development—and similar principles should guide the way we treat working animals. Discussion Points for the Classroom How do you feel about animals working? Should they be paid, perhaps in treats instead of money? What restrictions should exist for working animals? How do these compare to rules for people at work (age, rest breaks, working hours)? Can you think of other animals that have jobs? What makes them suitable for their roles? Have you seen a hawk before? Was it in the wild or in captivity? What character traits do working animals often show, and what can we learn from them? Should all animals that help people be considered as ‘working animals’? Why or why not? Classroom Activities and Reflections Sketch a hawk or another bird of prey. Observe its shapes, feathers, claws, and beak. Research traditional animal jobs, such as pit ponies or plough oxen, and how technology has changed their roles. Go outdoors to identify birds or discuss features common to all birds versus birds of prey. Make a list of animals with jobs and describe their specific roles. Vocabulary Focus Deter: To prevent or discourage. Handler: A person who trains and is in charge of animals. Restriction: An official limit placed on something. Sociable: Enjoying being with others; friendly. Thrive: To grow, develop, or be successful. Undertake: To start and take responsibility for a job or task. Final Thoughts: Should Animals Be Allowed to Work? The story of Pac-Man in San Francisco encourages thoughtful consideration on the use of animals in working roles. It’s important to balance the benefits animals bring to human society with our duty to provide them with safe, fair, and enjoyable workplaces. This week, consider how animals help us—and what we can do to help them in return. * Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample * Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss * Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
