Animal lover Katiya Knoester is not sure what she wants to be when she grows up, but after recent unforgettable experiences involving a vet camp and some turtles, she’s certain it will have something to do with animals! Caroline Zambrano reports.
From a very young age, 10-year-old Katiya Knoester has displayed an immense love for animals. The Sydney schoolgirl loves playing with her pet rabbit Summer and dog Kalais, and goes horseback-riding every opportunity she has.
While her friends watch regular kids’ shows, Katiya is often glued to David Attenborough’s documentaries on TV and animal shows like Bondi Vet and Deadly 60. “I’ve always wanted to do something with animals,” Katiya says. “When I was little I wanted to be just like Bindi Irwin, then I said I wanted to work at a zoo, then I changed my mind and wanted to be a vet. But now I think I want to be a marine biologist!”
Whatever her job will be some day, Katiya is certain she will be working with animals. After attending the Future Vet Kids Camp in Sydney followed by an unforgettable volunteer experience with the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project last year, her desire to work with animals was confirmed.
Kosgoda Sea Turtle
Conservation Project Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project runs in Sri Lanka with the aim of monitoring local sea turtle activity and conserving the local nesting sites. The project also aims to make the public more aware of how endangered these beautiful sea creatures are and just how important it is to help protect them before it is too late.
The KSTCP is run by Dudley Perera and his family, who have been involved in turtle conservation since 1988 and are passionate about the welfare and future of turtles in Sri Lanka, and passing their knowledge and enthusiasm on to locals and visitors alike.
For further information about the conservation project, visit kosgodaseaturtle.org/.
Future Vet Kids Camp
Future Vet Kids Camp is held in Sydney every year during the summer holidays. It encourages responsible pet ownership and the profession of veterinary medicine, as well as a love and appreciation of animals of all kinds and their habitats. The program is packed with fun and educational “animal adventures” and talks by veterinarians, behaviourists and staff from animal rescue, reptile, small animal, canine sports groups and more. Kids will even learn how to bake pet-friendly treats!
Future Vet Kids Camp is offering a PetSure Scholarship for two deserving participants to attend the January 2017 program. The scholarship is funded by PetSure, one of Australia’s leading providers of pet health insurance products. For more information, selection criteria and how to apply for the PetSure Scholarship, as well as early-bird registration for the January 2017 camp, please visit futurevetkidscamp.com.au.
Woops! Did you want to read the entire article on turtle conservation? You should have read PETS issue 58! Subscribe to our magazine so you don’t miss out on any more amazing stories.
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