On the morning of the 8th in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, in front of the Africa Pavilion at Seoul Grand Park. To mark Family Month in May, 15 students on a field trip gathered in front of a small fennec fox enclosure. Animal interpreter No Bo-young, 58, pointed to the fennec fox and continued the explanation.

The students nodded and looked at the fennec fox. The faces of the children, who had only seen the animal on YouTube and smartphone screens, were full of curiosity as they encountered it right before their eyes.

No has been working as an animal interpreter at Seoul Grand Park since last month. Animal interpreters explain the ecological value of animals and the importance of conservation to visitors and are also called "Zoosunts," as they guide the zoo much like docents in museums and art galleries.

On the 8th in the morning at Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, animal interpreter Noh Bo-young explains the pygmy hippopotamus to students. The pygmy hippo, known as the "baby hippo," is classified as Endangered Class II. In Korea, it is currently viewable only at Seoul Zoo. /Courtesy of Kang Jeong-a

◇ Rhinoceroses, meerkats, elephants … 1 hour 30 minutes of interpretation

That day, No led 15 students for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The tour moved from the Flamingo House to the Africa Pavilion, the Large Animal House, the Camel House, and the Marine Pavilion. Checking the condition of the animals before the field program and adjusting the movement route are also part of an animal interpreter's role.

When they arrived at the black-tailed prairie dog enclosure, the students kept exclaiming, "So cute." No explained that the reason black-tailed prairie dogs gather twigs is "to file down their ever-growing front teeth." Explanations then followed on each animal's ecological traits and behavioral habits, including rhinoceroses, meerkats, elephants, lions, and hyenas.

Meerkats in particular drew the students' attention. Kwon Ju-won, 14, a first-year middle school student who saw them scanning in all directions as if on alert, said, "The meerkats that kept watching the sky were most memorable," and added, "After listening to the interpreter, I felt we should care more so the animals do not go extinct."

On the 8th at Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, students listen to an animal interpreter in front of the elephant enclosure. /Courtesy of Kang Jeong-a

◇ To become an animal interpreter, you must pass a test after beating 3-to-1 odds

Seoul Grand Park introduced the nation's first animal interpreter training program in 2012. In this fourth cohort recruitment, 53 people applied and 17 were selected. In particular, unlike before, Seoul Grand Park itself handled everything from recruitment to in-person lectures and written and practical exams.

Though selected after fierce competition, No still said there is "a lot to learn." No said, "I'm disappointed because I feel I still can't convey everything I know to the kids," and added, "After each program, I study to provide better interpretation."

On the 8th in the morning at Seoul Grand Park, an animal interpreter leads students participating in group education. /Courtesy of Kang Jeong-a

◇ The hourly wage is at the living wage level … the driving force is 'fulfillment'

The new interpreters received intensive training in protecting endangered animals. At the end of the program, No also introduced environmental protection methods that are easy to practice in daily life, such as sorting recyclables, saving water, and using things longer.

Animal interpreters report to work once or twice a week according to the program schedule. The activity fee is an hourly wage of 12,121 won, the Seoul living wage level. The maximum working time per day is six hours, so the pay alone is not high.

On the 8th at Seoul Grand Park, animal interpreter Noh Bo-young greets students after finishing an education program. At the end of the session, he stresses everyday actions such as sorting recyclables, saying environmental protection is needed to safeguard endangered animals. /Courtesy of Kang Jeong-a

Even so, the reason No keeps working in the field was clear. No said, "You can see animals on YouTube or online videos, but facing them right before your eyes seems to spark the feeling that 'we should protect them,'" and added, "The greatest fulfillment comes when children feel animals are living beings, not just spectacles."

The 4th animal interpreter activities run through Mar. 2029. An official at Seoul Grand Park said, "We plan to consider launching the 5th cohort when the 4th cohort's activity period ends," and added, "Animal interpreters are spreading the value of biodiversity conservation and strengthening the role of a citizen-centered, education-focused zoo."

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