Blog Archive

One of my roles as a zoo photographer is to photograph zoo events both inside the zoo grounds and at outside venues. The most recent one I had to photograph was the opening of the ‘Panda Countdown Clock’ on top of the ETSA building on Anzac Highway. For event photography I try and plan ahead for the shots that people require, then move about the crowd and try to be invisible while I take the photographs. The media were there also, photographing The Premier Mike Rann who officially started the clock on its countdown to the arrival of the pandas in adelaide. Also in attendance was the Adelaide Zoo’s CEO Chris West, zoo staff, ETSA staff and of course ‘Funi’ the panda was putting in a guest appearance.

One of the joys of being a photographer is being there when magical moments happen and it takes you completely by surprise. Through all the dignitaries, the media and all the ETSA staff and onlookers strode a little girl dressed in pyjamas and a ‘canteen’ scarf wrapped like a sling around her injured arm. She walked right up to ‘Funi’ and asked if she could give the panda a hug. ‘Funi’ bent down and gave this brave girl a hug and she closed her eyes and smiled and smiled. Her mum wasn’t too far behind and apologised for her daughter interrupting the event.

This girl and her mum were never interrupting the event. They were the event. It made me realise how important animals are in peoples lives and the interaction we have with animals provides comfort for all of us.

Because of a brave little girl pushing through a group of adults to hug a panda a lot of other people will also be able to close their eyes and smile. ‘Funi’ will now be visiting the Womens & Childrens Hospital and other care facilities in the near future to visit children and their parents who are going through difficult times as a family and hopefully bring some joy into their lives.

I always think of that day as the day I met the bravest person in the world.

Dave