Schoolboy is inducted as youngest volunteer for RSPB (From Daily Echo)

Schoolboy is inducted as youngest volunteer for RSPB

11:41am Tuesday 30th June 2009 in

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At the age of just nine, most schoolboys dream about becoming football heroes like Cristiano Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney.

But young nature fan Dominik Reynolds harbours a different ambition – to be a naturalist like TV presenter David Attenborough.

New Forest schoolboy Dominik is happiest when sharing his wildlife knowledge and spends his free time talking to visitors at the New Forest Reptile Centre, just outside Lyndhurst.

Once a fortnight he can be seen taking visitors on guided tours of the centre, introducing them to the vast array of birds and reptiles there.

Now due to his efforts he has been inducted as the UK’s youngest volunteer for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Passion Dominik said “I have been coming here for years and now I am part of it.

“My favourite animals are crocodiles, pandas and snow leopards because they are becoming extinct, but here I love the snakes and the goshawks.”

His passion for learning and active lifestyle includes being a member of Marchwood Rangers Football Club and the Totton and Eling Tennis Development Programme. He also does swimming, acting and karate.

Mum Kerry explained: ‘From the age of two he was watching nature documentaries and a regular visitor to Longdown Activity Farm and the reptile centre.”

Centre spokeswoman Naomi White said: “It’s great to have him on board as he connects with the younger generation. He’s really enthusiastic and has a natural confidence enabling him to talk with the general public.”