I get satisfaction when I help people realise that there is more to wildlife than game meat! And to observe animals, we have to be patient.

The motivation is at every duty, there is always a chance to share what you know with others. We also learn lots from the people we meet. So every duty is actually an experience in disguise!

The challenges are trying to get people see beyond the animals. Animals rightly belong to the natural enviroment. With more and more natural habitats being destroyed, it is impt for us to be tolerant of animals that have lost their space and may now be moving closer to ours. Many Singaporeans are not able to grasp the concept of conservation in our local context because the majority of us grow up in a concrete city.

The senior docents are always more than ready to help newbies prepare for their roles as docents . Every senior has a couple of 'tricks' up their sleeves to deal with the most trying situation. One only need to ask ;-P

We don’t want half-hearted folks to be part of our team. We want people with a zest for animals and their well being. Only when you are enthusiastic can you interest others . The first step to care about anything is to be interested in it.

I am a complicated person who is loud and brash!! I love to read, eat and be merry... I think!!!

What struck me most about SZG Docents is the level of commitment and responsibility the group instills in an individual. All docents take their work seriously. It is motivating to know that a group of people are committed to the cause of the Docents.

The challenge of being a Docent is to be informed continuously to be able to dish out the right information. I get satisfaction from seeing a visitor, be it child or adult, walk away and being able to say "Hey, I learn something New Everyday!!!"

I get satisfaction from convincing visitors to walk through the Mangrove Walk. Some visitors are apprehensive about the Mangrove Walk because they are afraid the bats will land on them or attack them. However, once they are convinced that it is safe to go in, they usually enjoy the experience and learn more about bats. It is satisfying to see them come out of the Mangrove Walk with smiles on their faces and a new appreciation for bats.

Some people ask me why I bother to do volunteer work if I do not get paid for it. The motivation is to help other people appreciate wildlife and understand the need for wildlife conservation. Species extinction and environmental destruction are important issues affecting us all. Being a Docent is my own way of helping to address these issues.

Everyone at the docents is willing to have fun. We enjoy ourselves immensely at Docent bashes and get-togethers.

My name is Ling Sim and I have just joined the Docents in 2004. I’m a docent with Night Safari and is still considered a newbie until the new intake comes in May 2005.

Being a NSVR (Night Safari Volunteer Ranger), I am basically a night creature just like all the animals in NS. I am an extrovert, with a passion into sports and adventure. I love traveling especially trekking and hiking into the Himalayans. Despite all the sweat and grit, I can be quiet at times. Oh, I love reading and the movies, a typical Singaporean hobby.

I am currently helping out with the newsletter team in NS and also in the committee for the RATs 2005 program, enjoying myself by making new friends and doing new stuff.

Everyone at Docent is willing to help. We are basically kind creatures with hearts of gold and lots of love to spread. Our focus is to spread the love of nature by imparting conservation issues and raising awareness to the public through education. At the same time, we have fun along the way through team bonding and helping one another to make the docent a BIG and HAPPY family.

The challenges are many and exciting. Motivating others is always tough. In order to achieve that, we have to stay motivated at all times by keeping updated on environmental issues and knowledge. Through the upgrading process, that’s where we get the inspirations and vibes to motivate and educate others!

The 9-5 trainings on consecutive Sundays were tough, I could only manage them because I was on break then. Can't imagine how everyone with full working hours managed to put in the time. Trainings could have been more efficiently squished together, a full weekend on all the aspects that needed to be covered perhaps?

What was good - talks by the Vets, perhaps bring in the keepers to talk about their experiences, visits to the food prep areas, attachment to the exhibit and helping the keepers. Those were informative and unique that allowed us to differentiate ourselves from just well-read members of the public who feel like talking about certain conservation issues.

For me, my thoughts about the training was that it was a great way to meet and build up a team spirit among our batch of docents. It was interesting to see how everyone is from different walks of lives and careers but united by a common bond of an interest in animals and a desire to spread the word and educate people about conservation.