(From HeWhoWalksWithTigers' Jounal)

***Update 2***

THE VIDEO IS UP!



I've finished the video, uploaded it and I now in the process of trying to get people to vote.

All you have to do is go to this link:

[link]

and vote as high as possible. If you don't have a youtube account, it's fast and easy to set one up. Just follow the instructions on YouTube and try again.

You can also spread the word on dA by noting this news story

After that, I would LOVE IT if you helped to get other people to vote as well. You can do that by a number of means:

1) Inviting others to the Facebook group I made!

2) Sending an email to friends and family with the link

3) Posting the video on other social networking sites like Twitter, Digg, and internet forums

4) Posting a journal on DeviantArt or other related websites

IF I CAN BE ONE OF THE TOP 10 RATED VIDEOS THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE I CAN FINALLY VISIT THE AUSTRALIA ZOO!

Thanks to all of you for all the help you've given me so far. I can't do this without you. I'm truly thankful.

All the best!

-Eric Ash


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***Update 1***

I've started a group on Facebook...join the group and invite your friends!

[link]

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Hey folks,

A long time ago, I saw a man on television who taught me about wildlife and conservation. This man's name was Steve Irwin, the Croc Hunter. As a result of his passion for wildlife, I've dedicated my life to conservation and have been struggling for years to promote saving the tiger in particular. I even stopped pursuing a career in photography to go to university (where I am now) so I could study environmental sciences and use that to get a career in tiger conservation. I live the khaki life every day.

Ever since I starting living for conservation (otherwise known as "khaki'ing it"), it's been a dream of mine to visit the place the Irwin's call home: the world famous Australia Zoo. Part of the reason has been to experience what the Irwin's have built, but also to be able to thank the Irwin's myself for helping to imbuing me with a passion for wanting to make a difference - they really have changed my life. It's been a dream I've accepted as being very unlikely to manifest due to the expenses associated with flying from North America...until now.

There is currently a contest being held by the Australia Zoo and the winner, who posts a video highlighting their individual conservation work (or how they "Khaki It"), will be flown to Australia with 3 friends or family members for a full VIP experience at the zoo that the Crocodile Hunter made famous (seriously, one of the best zoos in the world). I've wanted to visit Australia and, in particular, the Australia Zoo for as long as I've been involved in conservation and more. I have enough volunteer experience under my belt that I think I would be in serious consideration if I make it into the finals. However, there is a catch...

The catch is, it is to a large extent a popularity contest. Entrants submit videos to YouTube and only the top 10 rated will be finalists. The winner will be selected by Terri Irwin. This means, everyone will be getting their friends to vote for them. A couple years back, I entered a similar contest for a grant on Ogrant; however, I didn't win. I took the loss pretty hard, but this time, I don't want to lose. I feel like this contest was meant for me and if I make it into the finals, I know Terri will choose me. However, I need your help.

I've finished the video, uploaded it and I now in the process of trying to get people to vote.

All you have to do is go to this link:

[link]

and vote as high as possible. If you don't have a Youtube account, it's fast and easy to set one up. Just follow the instructions on YouTube and try again.

It is not often you get opportunities to achieve your dreams...this is my big chance.

***If you want to help me reach a coveted top 10 spot, please vote 5 on this video and invite your friends to do the same. Hopefully, I have earned your support.

Let me know if you have any ideas, comments, questions, etc.

Sincerely,

Eric Ash