We were all children, that's obvious. But I don't know anyone who has seen their life change so drastically after getting to know the diversity of animals in an Aquariu-Zoologic, as it happened to me. I will never forget the time when with my little eyes I could see an adult male lion staring at us. The depth of yellow of his beautiful eyes marked my memory to this day. Clearly, Venezuela was another country at that time in 1998/1999 and a child could witness nature and its majesty just by attending school and going on tours.
It is amazing how genetics explains many things through our children. In my case, my daughter. A beautiful, curious and talented little girl, who like me, developed a deep admiration for animals in general, especially felines. Sometimes, I think, the best answer is almost always the simplest. I mean, adding 1 + 1, sometimes it does give 2. Going with my girl to the Aquariu-Zoológico de Valencia, the capital city of the state where we live, has been a totally different experience for me. I am no longer that little girl with the age that my little girl currently is, but I am an adult-mother, touring the rooms and places in this place that marked my life.
“Passing the torch.” That's what they call this action. I prefer to see it as a journey among which the curiosity of life has a lot to do. It's a strange feeling to be in a place (physically) where your mind feels trapped in time. Even the smells take me back decades. For example, there are turtles inside the Aquarium-Zoológico that 25 years ago looked exactly the same as they do now. The same with the Orinoco crocodile, a species that can live more than 100 years and that is available in the facilities but that I could not see because it was submerged in its pond...
This time I was a spectator. I was the guide figure with my little girl by my side. Curious, asking questions, smiling nervously and pointing her little finger at every little animal she has seen in a cartoon, movie or YouTube video on Animal Planet or National Geographic.... It is truly gratifying, as a mother and animal lover, to see that my daughter is also going down that path. Where her passion overflows her and to notice the joy in her gestures as she learns to admire, meet and photograph the animals in the enclosure. I must say that they looked quite well fed and in good shape. In addition, the facilities were pristine and the attention of the staff in charge was superb.
“Mommy, I love all these animals!”, were her words. In a world filled with screens, empty comparisons and abruptness everywhere, I am thrilled that my daughter has developed a healthy and noble passion. We are animals, so are they. We share the planet and there are more things that unite us than those that keep us apart. It is necessary to understand that the success of everything resides in the survival and the balance that gives the coexistence between species. It is necessary to learn to love, value and care. And what better way to do it than from childhood? Yes, it was a trip to the Aquarium-Zoológico but with a more personal and profound touch. Even more than I could describe it to you.
All photographs and content used in this post are my own. Therefore, they have been used under my permission and are my property.
