Esther Carmona Wagner spent a work term at El Refugio de Potosí, an ecological park in South-West Mexico. The park's main objective is to help in the conservation of the fauna and flora of the region.

As well as giving guided tours and tending to the animals, Esther developed her own projects: a bird training program, a dynamic public presentation called “Live the Life Chain,” and started the use of maggots as a food source for the iguanas, chameleon, tarantulas and scorpions.

Esther says, "I really loved working with the animals and learning about them. It was also really wonderful to get to know a different culture and actually take part in the celebrations and become part of a community that is so different to the one in Victoria."

Read more about Esther's co-op experience in Mexico or visit the Department of Biology.