It was on an elementary school field trip to the Brookfield Zoo that I first looked into a lion’s eyes. It was a hot day and the lions were lounging in the shade on stone slabs a good distance from the exhibit glass. My eyes immediately fixed on a handsome male lion looking our way and when the group around me shuffled on, I stayed exactly where I was. He then stood up, sauntered along the edge of the enclosure towards the glass where I was standing, stopped directly in front of me, and looked at me with the most gorgeous eyes I had ever seen; and that is precisely when I knew I would work with wildlife for the rest of my life.

After that experience I wanted nothing more than to be a veterinary doctor on a zoo staff. But my dream evolved as I grew up and had more of these unforgettable encounters. The next pivotal moment took place at a conservation project in Nelspruit, South Africa, where I was able to personally work with lions and other invaluable African species in a more natural habitat. From this project and from similar projects that I have volunteered at since, I have gained priceless experience as well as knowledge about these species and the many threats to their survival. Wildlife conservation is my passion and I will work tirelessly for it.