NORWICH – Whether it be a chimpanzee getting tickled, a snake slithering on stage, a macaw soaring through the crowd or an alligator strutting its stuff, local school children and community members got to experience the wonders of the rainforest and the dangers of losing it Thursday.

Animal handler Mike Kohlrieser of Ohio is part of the Understanding Wildlife organization, a non-profit specializing in introducing audiences to just some of the wildlife that can be found in today’s rainforest. Along with the presentation of the animals was the message that today’s rainforests are in grave danger.

“The rainforest is a beautiful, magnificent place and together, if we all do our part we can help save it,” Kohlrieser explained to the children during one of the four school performances Thursday at Perry Browne and Gibson schools in Norwich. He asked how many children knew what recycling was and explained that recycling is just one of the many ways children and their families here can help save the rainforest.