Remembering 15 Years of Learning about Wildlife and Conservation

In my volunteer work with a local YMCA, I have the opportunity to meet and engage with some enthusiastic members.   Many are retired and the YMCA is their second home, spending many hours a day throughout the week in exercise, developing friendships, socializing, and learning from others.  The activities organized by the YMCA are always well attended, and it seems like more activities could be introduced without worrying about participation. 

My wife is very good at volunteering ME to the YMCA.   Earlier in the year, she enlisted me to teach Mahjong to a group of ladies and to drive interest in the game to other members.  There is now a group of 8 to 12 regulars who are playing mahjong twice a week.  Additionally, other members who have heard about this group are joining.   I continue to help out in teaching the game to the “newbies” as they are known.  A few months ago, she suggested that I could share some of my Ocean Park experiences with members, especially regarding conservation and the animals I encountered at the Park.  I would have enjoyed talking about the famous Halloween event, but she felt the animal stories would be of more interest and value.

That sparked my interest, and while I am not a wildlife or conservation expert, there is so much that I learned over those 15 years and much to share.   I met a beautiful white cockatoo that I visited regularly, and over the 15 years, we bonded in friendship.    I learned about birds, fish, sea lions, seals, penguins, walruses, Arctic wolves, dolphins, and more, but perhaps the most gratifying was the iconic Giant Pandas from China.

A fascination developed from the first day meeting An An and Jia Jia.   

There are so many Fun Facts that I could share with others about the Giant Panda, which would help to raise awareness of the animal and its fight for survival from extinction.   With great enthusiasm, I offered to do a presentation on the Giant Panda to the event coordinator at the YMCA.   She met this offer with great delight and confirmed immediately to put it on the events calendar.  

Preparing this presentation gave me a chance to remember all that I have learned about pandas.    It gave continued importance to the value of conservation.   The event is scheduled for December 2, 2024, which happens to be my birthday.   What a terrific Birthday Present!

Tell you more after the event.