Zooriffic 5

The 5th instalment of Zooriffic, a volunteer project in collaboration with Zoo Negara was held on Saturday, 1st of August 2009. This time around, Raleigh intro weekend (IW) groups Alpha and Charlie co-organised the event.

The morning kicked of with a short briefing session by some zoo personnel. We were then delegated to work in various exhibits in groups of ten.

Yours truly and team had the chance to deal with the third largest land animal; the hippopotamus. Not as glamourous as those who got the grand opportunity of working up close with the kings of the jungle but hey, hippos are adorable.

Before warming up to us, they stuck to each other like glue.

Once they've got accustomed to our presence, inquisitive they became.

Delighted even, with our presence.

***

Our task was simple, really.

Step 1: Loosen soil in enclosure.

Step 2: Shovel sand into sacks and wheelbarrows.

Step 3: Transport them to the external compound.

Step 4: Construct steps leading to cage with sand-filled gunny sacks so that the hippos can enter the cage with ease, to be transported to another state zoo sometime this week.

Shovelling and heaving what seemed like tonnes of sand may have been blister-producing and back-breaking work but it reminded me of the times during expedition where I had to trudge through muddy trails to transfer sacks of cement weighing possibly more than half my weight from point A to point B, to build a foundation for a suspension bridge in one of the most pristine forest reserves in the heart of Borneo. Arduous, but at the end of the day when the job is done, it brings about a certain level of self-satisfaction.

Team Hippo


Of course, it wasn't all work and no play for us volunteers. We were given ample time to explore the zoo compound. Some interesting sights include

The swaying elephant

Headbutting deer

Prawn in the process of molting its outer shell


Even had the chance to watch the twice daily multitalent animal show.

Exhausting as it was, we all had a good time. Cheers team αharlie for a job well done!