Wildlife surprise

By Monique Ebrington
LIZARDS don’t usually take preference to getting a Learner’s Permit for many 16-year-olds.
But there are few who have the same enthusiasm for animals as Daniel Elso, who was the first person to experience Healesville Sanctuary’s Keeper for a Morning program — a surprise birthday present from his parents.
While his birthday is in October, Daniel waited patiently to get the chance to go behind the scenes and get an up-close look with the Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary last Thursday.
Meeting, feeding and helping with the daily care of the reptiles seemed to be the highlight of Daniel’s morning.
If his interest and enthusiasm for hands-on experience continues Reptile Keeper Peter Coomber thinks Daniel is on the right track to working with animals some day.
“When I was his age I spent my September school holidays volunteering at Healesville Sanctuary, and look at where I am now,” Peter Coomber said.
You don’t have to work directly with a sanctuary or zoo to experience what it’s like working with animals.
Caring for your pets at home is also a great way of experiencing what’s needed to look after animals in the workplace, he said.
“Maintaining animals at home was a big benefit to me. It means you can work out how animals operate and see the things that they need and do.
“When you go into the workplace and work with animals, the environment is new but you have the understanding and know-how about animals,” he said.
While Daniel can’t place a finger on just one favorite animal he does have a soft spot for the family’s dog and three cats he looks after.
While Daniel would like to be a zoologist in the future, for now he’s going to concentrate on studying for his Learner’s Permit.
More information about Healesville Sanctuary’s Keeper for a Morning program visit www.zoo.org.au.