Eight Years At The Zoo

            On September 29, 2007, eight years ago today, I had my very first shift as a member of “zoo team”, the teen volunteer program of the San Antonio Zoo. If someone had come to my fourteen-year-old self on that day and told me all the experiences I would have through that zoo in the years to come, I never would’ve believed them. Now, though, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve met my best friends through that zoo, had countless up close experiences with all kinds of wildlife, and learned things that I never could’ve learned in a classroom or from a textbook. I’ve had so many unforgettable experiences that never would’ve been possible if I hadn’t gotten involved with the zoo. I’ll certainly never forget the first time I watched the emergence of twenty million bats from Bracken Bat Cave when I went there with the zoo to help out. Nor will I forget my first up close encounter with our Komodo dragon, okapi, hippo, rhino, and so many more. The feeling I got when I was invited to go through the docent training when I was only 16 was amazing, as was visiting Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island with other zoo volunteers. I’ll always cherish the memory of feeding my first animal at the zoo, a tawny frogmouth in the Hixon bird house, and the day I got to see the newly hatched Komodo dragon babies was one of the best of my life.

            Listing just a few of my favorite zoo memories, you can probably tell why I’ve stuck around for as long as I have. The past eight years at the zoo have been incredibly special, and I wouldn’t change anything at all about them. If I’d never submitted my zoo team application eight years ago, I certainly wouldn’t be the person I am today. I probably wouldn’t have gone on my Africa trip this past summer, wouldn’t know half as much about wildlife as I do, and wouldn’t have met some of the most important people in my life. San Antonio Zoo, you’re my happy place, and no matter where my future endeavors take me, I’ll always call you home. Thanks for eight years of crazy adventures- I can’t wait to see what the next eight years bring! This post’s food for thought: “Whatever you want to do in this world, it is achievable. The most important thing that I’ve found, that perhaps you could use, is be passionate and enthusiastic in the direction that you choose in life, and you’ll be a winner.”- Steve Irwin