Solo Flight at the Maryland Zoo

I don't know if I posted about this here...  You know I love zoos--NOT BAD ZOOs!  Bad Zoos is a real myth, BTW--zoos are doing amazing things to preserve endangered species and bring awareness to our role in saving our planet one species at a time.  Zoos belong to associations that regulate their every action, supporting and requiring best practices that are constantly being upgraded.  The AZA (Associations of Zoos and Aquariums) is a force for good.  Disclaimer, I am a member of the AZA.

I have long been interested in zoos.  To that end I am also a member of both the Maryland Zoo at Baltimore and the nation's first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo.  Studying zoos and support zoos led me to taking the next step: this past February, I attended a discovery session to explore volunteering at the Maryland Zoo.  This resulted in my being invited to participate in training sessions.  I accepted and completed twelve hours of orientation sessions as well as a 2 hour practicum on the grounds under the guidance of an experienced volunteer.

There are many ways to volunteer at the Maryland Zoo.  I was offered the opportunity to join the crew of Educational Programs volunteers.  This mean supervising interactive activities designed to explore a particular concept specific to one of the many animal habitats represented at the zoo.  These themes and activities change every month to keep regular guest engaged.  The target audience is children. I was trained at the Lion Exhibit, and today I soloed for three and half hours at the Farm Yard. 

As an educator with 35 years of experience, I have to say that I am impressed with the program.  It is well designed and presents a relatively rigorous curriculum while also integrating a series of supports that allows volunteers with various degrees of expertise and experience to participate and grow their own capacities.

Before and after my shift, I visited some of my favorite areas of the zoo.

 In the Morning, Ritter, the 7-year-old Lesser Kudu buck was out and about.

 In the late afternoon, after my shift, I chanced upon Hodar and KeeWee the Common Warthogs enjoying the warmth.  And then this pic of two of the Zoo's herd of Sitatunga antelopes against the edge of their pond.

While still at the Farm Yard, I enjoyed the antics of one of the two Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys--totally brought to my "Donkey" from Shriek, right?