For years, one man showed up at the zoo every single week — not for a paycheck, but for love. Volunteering without fail, he worked with quiet dedication simply because he adored animals. His dream? To become an official zookeeper. But every time he applied, he was turned down. The reason? His physical disability. They told him it might limit what he could do.
Still, he never stopped showing up.
Then one day, everything changed.
While assisting in the panda enclosure, he noticed something was wrong — one of the pandas was choking and struggling to breathe. Without hesitation, he rushed in and performed the Heimlich maneuver. In front of stunned visitors, the panda was saved.
The incredible moment was caught on video — and it went viral. The footage touched hearts around the world, and soon, thousands of people signed a petition demanding the zoo give him a job.
This time, the zoo said yes.
Now officially a zookeeper, he shared: “Don’t let anybody tell you what you can and can’t do. I always wanted to work at a zoo — and now I do.”
His story is proof: passion, persistence, and heart can change everything.