Zoo time

"We have to get to know each other better...

... it makes us understand one another better,

trust each other more, and live together more peacefully." - United Buddy Bears

The year end is approaching. The new year is coming. Whichever way you see it, the end of a long year or a new beginning, life is here for us to continue enriching ourselves with experiences.

It had been on my resolution list for a long time, the bullet point flickering like a neon light, calling me to strike it out. I could blame it on the bad timing for the delay. Study. Not being here. I tried to accomplish it last year but after a day's effort, i fell sick the next day and i couldn't risk my health and my travel to Singapore. So i decided to postpone, or procrastinate, until this year, until this month.

Now, i can happily tick over that flickering bullet point. And feel a great sense of satisfaction.

I am referring to my volunteering experience at Zoo Negara. I knew about this volunteer program when i was in secondary school. I knew about the certificate awarded to volunteers after accomplishing time at the zoo. I made this my goal- the certificate, but i received more than that.

Becoming a volunteer in the Zoo opened my eyes and broadened my perspectives. I got to see the Zoo from an entirely different angle. As a full-day volunteer, i had to assemble at a meeting point after checking in. The officer in charge came to brief on rules while volunteering and gave a sticker to stick on my sleeves. I would be assigned to keepers who needed volunteers for the day. In my entire service, i did the Mammal Kingdom twice, Reptile, Bear enclosure, and Ape Center once (and still counting...). Along the way, i got to meet great people- friendly keepers who willing pass knowledge they possess about the animals under their care and other enthusiastic volunteers.

When i was there, i got asked a question numerous times: you're on holiday/study break, why do you want to come here and volunteer? The answer came easy: i like seeing the zoo from another view and enjoy the company of being close to wildlife. A practical student in the Zoo told me that other volunteers thought becoming a volunteer allowed them to touch wild animals. Part of me was with the majority. Not until some hard and rough work, i was then awarded the chance.

As a volunteer, through my experience, i had to sweep the exhibit of the animals- dried leaves, leftover food and poop. I had boots but the boots did not stop the odour from rising to my nose. Some can be really unpleasant. Then, in another exhibit, i had to wipe glass panels. I had to prepare meals for the animals like slicing bananas and cutting carrots to bite-sized pieces. I had to carry logs- and i can tell you now it is massively heavy, to help redesign exhibit or just transferring.

On the bright side, i got to feed the animals- and that is not one can do on a visit to the Zoo. I fed the porcupines, capybaras, hyenas, squirrel monkey, raccoon, otters, tortoise, deer and bear. I got to stand so close to a tiger, goats, iguanas, orangutan and chimpanzee- desire fueled by the Apes movie. I got the chance to touch a snake, a black bear (named Boy) and a tapir. These memories with the wildlife are forever remembered.

Feeding the capybara, biggest rodent, and...

...porcupines with their favourite- bananas...

...playing with Kathy, a young orangutan...

... entered an enclosure to feed the iguanas...

... patting after cleaning the tortoise, second largest in the world, enclosure...

...snapped a shot with a tapir.

As i said, i got the certificate, i struck the bullet point. But i achieved more than that. I realized that i enjoyed my time in the Zoo despite sweat and bruises. I like animals. Perhaps, one day in the future, i might adopt an exotic animal or set up my own zoo or animal center. I used to think zoos are sad places for the animals, limiting their freedom, inhibiting their growth and potential, but i saw that with caring and loving keepers, the zoo might, after all, be a suitable place for them. Nurture the community, let them know that animals are part of the inhabitants of earth. Take a day off to any zoo, tell them about the fauna and teach them to protect and conserve these uniqueness in life.

Will i be back at the Zoo? Count me in!

*****

On another note, the United Buddy Bears are now at Pavilion, KL until 15 Feb 2012. It is the first time a South-east Asia city become host. Visit to see the colourful Buddy Bears of 147 countries.

Taken with the Malaysian Bear.