***Update 5***

(Wanted to upload a more coherent, less bitter response)

Won third place. Check out the results here: [link]

Thank you for your support. I couldn't have done it without you. I'm disappointed that I didn't get first, naturally, (my fault, not yours...I got the most votes) but I'm trying my best to focus on the positive. I won an $800 travel voucher, which could be used in Australia, but I'm not sure I can afford flights.

To the experienced traveler out there, are there any sites or airlines that offer dirt cheap airfare from North America? The cheapest I've found is $1300 USD roundtrip economy. I've been discouraged because I don't have that much money - I'm a student and I couldn't get a job last summer...add in the debt and it makes it very unlikely I could actually use the voucher. I still want to make it to the Australia Zoo, even if it isn't for Steve Irwin Day.

As for photos, I've had my doubts as to whether they actually matter here and I've completely lost my motivation to post the one's I have.


***Update 4***

I just want to thank all of you for your help so far in the video contest I've entered. It's been an honor to have your support and I could not have gotten as far as I did without you.

There is less than one week remaining until the contest ends and the winner is announced. If you haven't voted, please take a look at the info below and tell your friends. Or visit this link:

[link]

Thank you again for all your help!

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***Update 3***

HOLY CRAP! What a response! I never expected ANYTHING like this. My video is doing exceptionally well. In terms of statistics:

-It has almost 700 ratings and an average score of 4.94 with almost 2000 views! [no other video is even close - the page views themselves rival that of the contest video itself]
-It is the #3 rated video for the Pets & Animals category on YouTube
-It has over 14 honors on Youtube in top rated, discussed, favourited and viewed videos categories

Why is this happening? It's because of YOU. I wouldn't be anywhere without amazingly kind people such as yourselves and words cannot express how grateful I am that you support me.

The contest is FAR from over (the deadline is October 30th), but because of your continued help, I think I can do it. There is no guarantee that I will win, even if I get into the top 10 - after all, I'm neither cute, nor attractive, and the fact that I'm older than most applicants might hurt me - however, if people make their support known in the comments, perhaps Terri will be more inclined to select me. In any case, I am extremely proud to have earned your support and encourage everyone to keep going.

I would like to thank everyone who has spread the word so far, but special mention should include and especially , who went above and beyond, creating a contest herself to help get people to spread the word. After the journals went up, the video statistics skyrocketed. This shows just how much ONE PERSON can have an impact.

Thanks again! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the momentum can last.

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***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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-NGuUSGyDU

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-NGuUSGyDU

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