Read the text and choose the correct parts of sentences to complete gaps and remember there is one extra part of a sentence

Animal Helper

As far back as I can remember, I have cared for animals. From the age of six, I had a pet dog, a cat, and even a goldfish. On my eighth birthday, my father took me to a huge pet shop and told me I could choose whatever I wanted. As I gazed into the glass tanks, I spotted a magnificent iguana, (1). My father knew from the excited expression on my face that I had made my decision.

My pet iguana, or 'Jimmy' as he quickly came to be known, was a real inspiration to me. As I watched him wander around his cage, I began to wonder about what weird and wonderful creatures there might be out there (2). I began to read everything I could lay my hands on about animals.

During my teens, my interest in animals grew and I started to become concerned about animal welfare and protection. The more I read about the many endangered species in the world, the more I felt that I had a duty to protect them. When I was 18, I went to university to study zoology. Obtaining my degree wasn't at all like work for me (3). While at university, I also gained valuable experience volunteering at a zoo. By the time graduation day came, I had learnt enough, and gained enough first-hand experience, to know that I wanted to be a park ranger.

Fresh out of university, I was lucky enough to gain employment at the famous West Midlands Safari Park. It was my dream job and I was incredibly excited, (4). I'd worked with small, exotic animals, but I had never been in actual contact with any of the larger ones before.

On my first day, I came face to face with two fully-grown African elephants and three adult tigers. My task was a small but important one – I was to help the keeper who was in charge of feeding them. Feeding such magnificent beasts is something you are unlikely to ever forget. It is a truly humbling experience, (5).

Safari Parks are a wonderful environment for captive animals because the animals are not penned in but are instead allowed to roam free. People make the mistake of thinking that the animals are in cages, but the aim is for their lives to be as close as possible to the lives they would have lived naturally (6).

Sadly, there are people who like to hunt some of these creatures. As a ranger, part of my job is to educate the public about animals. I believe that education is the best weapon in the fight to save these animals and other threatened wildlife.

	in the wild
	although I was also somewhat nervous
	and I didn't need to say anything
	in the world
	as the power and beauty of these animals takes your breath away
(extra)	because of animal conservation
	because the subject matter was so fascinating