Class Becomes a Natural Learning Environment

John Zavalney’s junior high classroom at the Foshay Learning Center in Los Angeles is a zoo.

But it’s not the students who make the atmosphere wild--it’s the animals.

Zavalney’s exotic collection includes boa constrictors, pythons, a rat snake, a baby king snake, iguanas, lizards, zebra finches, a parakeet, parrots, frogs, turtles, tarantulas, Vietnamese walking sticks, rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and a 250-gallon aquarium filled with arawana fish.

The 46-year-old science teacher receives many of his animals from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, after they are confiscated from illegal importers.

“I never know when they’re going to call me or what they’re going to give me,” he said.

In class, animals are used to help students understand life science, biology and importation issues.

“You learn stuff you really want to learn,” said Brenda Gallegos, 12, as she measured a 7-foot-long red tail boa constrictor. “It doesn’t make us bored.”

Most recently, Zavalney received a call from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offering arawanas from the Amazon River--long, skinny fish with green, gold, silver and red scales.

Certain arawanas are illegal to import because they are an endangered species. They can sell for up to $10,000 each in the United States, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Zavalney received 100 arawanas--at no cost.

“People want them because they’re considered good luck, whether it’s in their home or business,” said Diane Petrula, a special agent in the federal agency.

More than 1,000 species of animals and plants are not to be imported or exported under U.S. law because they are either endangered or threatened. Often, commercial importers--which sell to pet stores--ship boa constrictors, pythons, tortoises and iguanas without proper permits or identification, Petrula said.

Animals are donated to zoos and schools after they are confiscated.

“It’s really wonderful for the schools because [they are animals] they might want to have, but can’t afford to buy,” she said.

Animals that are confiscated in Los Angeles generally are donated to local schools, although some go to zoos across the country. Many schools don’t have facilities to hold animals, so only a few accept donations regularly, Petrula said.

Inside Zavalney’s classroom, a poster on the wall reads: “Earth is Home to Us All. Share it Responsibly. Protect the Wild.”

Two bright green Amazon parrots are perched atop a plant holder, and a 15-pound iguana named Godzilla lazily observes from the roof of his wooden cage. Well-behaved animals are allowed out of their cages.

Zavalney said the animals are not dangerous. The tarantulas are the only poisonous ones, but their bite is like a bee sting, he said. None of the snakes are venomous.

He teaches students how to safely hold and care for the animals.

“Most people are afraid of snakes because of what they have learned as kids,” he said. “But the most important thing is to learn that they’re not dangerous--getting over that fear.”

Zavalney, whom students call “Mr. Z,” holds Godzilla--who was confiscated after being imported from Central America--while students clip his toenails.

“When you hold him, your arm is like a tree branch, and you pet him to calm him down,” Zavalney tells 13-year-old Hector Flores. “You ready to try and hold him now?”

“I’m so nervous,” Flores whispers.

On a recent afternoon, students worked on their animal reports. Each chose an animal to research its behavior, place of origin, habitat, food, reproduction, life span, growth, movement and captive history. After studying the animals, students were required to write two short stories about them, using what they had learned, and to give a class presentation.

Many students say Zavalney’s class is their favorite. Even students who are not enrolled stop by between classes or at lunch.

“I just like the animals,” said 14-year-old Damian Campos who volunteers to help clean cages. “It’s curiosity. I don’t have animals at home.”

Taking care of animals and seeing students’ excitement fulfills Zavalney, who built many cages himself and used to pay for their food--1,000 crickets, $25 worth of goldfish and an assortment of vegetables each week--until the school agreed to cover the costs.

“This is my second childhood,” he said.