Fancy getting up close and personal with wildlife? Now you can be that conservationist or photographer you admire on TV who wows the audience with his work. Project Jumbo, an elephant conservation effort which started with a girl's dream to protect and have elephants in her backyard, is the opportunity for students to interact with wildlife.

During a recent visit to the Elephant Nature Park (ENP) in Northern Thailand in April 2008, the team engaged in meaningful tasks such as:

• Planting of corn and tamarind
• Cleaning of elephant and buffalo shed
• Mulching (laying of elephant dung on vegetation)
• Feeding and bathing the elephants
• Maintenance of elephants' mud pits
• Constructing fences
• Designing and making signage to be used in the Park
• Helping the villagers to harvest soybean
• Taking part in forest conservation (by tying saffron-coloured cloth on trees)

Project Jumbo exposed us to many 'first-time' tasks such as farming and cleaning of elephant shelters. These experiences enhanced everyone's awareness of their own abilities. Debriefs and reflection sessions were conducted to track our learning progress and keep us focused on our intended goals. Certainly, our inter-dependence as we worked alongside each other to complete all tasks safely and successfully, drew us closer together as a team. As a result of working outside our comfort zones, we all developed resilience, strength and adaptability while trying to overcome unforeseen challenges.

The Diploma in Veterinary Technology is not only about dogs, cats and hamsters. It is a course that gives students the eye-opening opportunity to immerse themselves in meaningful activities to conserve wildlife. Come join us at Temasek Polytechnic!