Earlier this year we were able to get an opportunity to have a hands-on day with the inspirational keepers at Monarto Zoo!

At the time we had just recruited 6 remarkable individuals into our team of mentors, who had all shown some amazing promise while being in the YATZ program. The day would be utilized to help us bond as a team, while allowing us to work on our communication and leadership skills.

The team split into three separate groups and rotated around various tasks that we aimed to achieve by the end of the day. As a team we were able to assist the keepers and conservation team tremendously. We created enclosures and Identified Pygmy Blue Tongue Lizards by counting their toes and matching with an identification chart. Cleaned the Tasmanian Devil and Wombat enclosures and assisted making enclosures for the critically endangered Plains Wanderer birds.

The day was highly successful, and everyone treasured the experience. As an older mentor myself, it was truly inspiring to see both old and new mentors working together, learning from each other and improving themselves as leaders within the zoo.

Dylan