Hear what our Volunteer Chris Trott had to say about his experience at the Zoo and maybe you'll be convinced to volunteer as well.
What initially made you want to start volunteering?
Chris: Oh, well, I retired a year ago and I was looking for somewhere to volunteer in retirement. But I always wanted to volunteer at the Zoo. I love the animals. I worked in the Arctic. I worked at Baffin Island. And so the fact that we've got bears and seals and reindeer and Arctic fox just thrills me all the time. So I always wanted to work here. I didn't actually know anything about it when I signed up, except that it's a zoo. So I just yeah, I just signed up to see what it was about it.
What brought you to Baffin Island?
C: Oh, I'm an anthropologist, so I did my research up there.
So that's what got you initially interested. What keeps you coming back?
C: Well, once you get in here, it's actually a great place to volunteer. The other volunteers are so much fun. They're great people and working with the families and the kids. People come here to have a good time, so they're in a good mood. So they're upbeat, they’re with their families.
The other thing I love is that you meet people from all over the world. I mean, it's really amazing when you chat to people and say, you know, where are you from? I was just talking to somebody from Cincinnati who's here today.
Last summer I was working at the kangaroo habitat, and I told the kids that they had to hop three times and say g’day mate in order to meet the kangaroos. So I got all these kids hopping, and this lady looks at me and she said, in a broad Australian accent “I'm bloody well not about to do that. I'm from Melbourne and I've seen too many kangaroos in my life”. But she was from Melbourne! So you meet people from all over the world.
People are here to have a good time. They're having fun. And our job is just to make sure that they really do have a good time. So I love it. I'm not kidding. And by the way, I keep trying to sell my friends on signing up.
What's your number one sales tactic? What would you tell people who are interested in volunteering?
C: Well, for one thing, I find it meditatively peaceful to be around animals. So when I go home, I'm calm, peaceful, I'm happy. I've enjoyed myself. But also the other great thing is obviously getting outside and walking around outside. I mean, we don't walk around outside for three hours, but we do walk around outside for a good chunk of time. And the exercise for some of us is a good thing. I find I get home with 11,000 steps most days. So it’s great!
So, yeah, that's why I'm here.
I had a blast working at the events too! I loved Boo at the Zoo and Zoo Lights.
You've already mentioned some, but is there any one specific moment that really stands out since you started?
C: Well, one day there was nobody at the Zoo, it was a miserable, cold, awful day. And I came in here to the bear pool and when I came in, one of the bears saw me. It was in the pool swimming, saw me, swam right up to the glass, put its forehead against the glass and wanted me to rub up and down on the glass on the other side.
I mean, I don't know whether I was really communicating with the bear. I have no idea. But as far as I was concerned, the bear and I were in some kind of conversation, right?
That was just great. Just having that bear there, that was my favourite moment so far. Although, by the way, I have had some very intense conversations with the snow leopards. And they love to sit on top of the rock there.
Last ones. Favourite place in the Park? Park Zoo, anywhere. And your favourite animal at the Zoo?
C: Well, my favourite animal is the snow leopard. I don't know why, I love them.
My favourite place is probably right where we're sitting here in Gateway. If the bears aren't around, you can check in here and this is where they'll first show up. But I also really like this space. I was trying to convince somebody the other day to get married here.
