Welcome back, everyone! This month, we are excited to have two returning guest speakers.  

JASON POOTOOLAL
Zoologist, conservationist

Jason Pootoolal was the very FIRST guest speaker for the Junior Giraffe Club back in February 2021 - his enthusiasm and knowledge about giraffes was exactly what we had hoped for! Jason is a zoologist and conservationist from Ontario, Canada. He has worked in the management and care of animals for over 20 years and has been an active participant in conservation-focused research for over a decade. Although he has worked with nearly every animal species, he found his true passion is working with ungulates. Jason has dedicated his career to advancing the care of giraffes in human partnership and protecting wild giraffes and the ecosystem they share with so many unique people, plants and animals.

MONICA BOND
Wildlife biologist, biodiversity activist, author

We are so happy to have Monica back to speak to the club again! Last time, Monica shared her journey to become a wildlife biologist and told us about her work as a principal scientist for Wild Nature Institute. This time, Monica will be reading from her latest children’s book, Helping Brother Rhinocerous (Spoiler alert: there is a giraffe in the story!). Monica has been an animal lover for as long as she can remember. She became particularly interested in biology in high school, and discovered the world of wildlife science in college, after visiting a friend who was studying nesting of Peregrine Falcons in Great Smokey Mountains National Park. She loves to mix field research with writing and talking about the beauty and importance of wildlife and nature. She has lived and worked in Tanzania for 12 years, studying giraffes and promoting education and conservation of savanna wildlife.