How a Dead Seal Sparked Theodore Roosevelt's Lifelong Passion for Conservation
Briefly

Theodore Roosevelt's early fascination with the natural world began at age 8 when he collected the head of a dead seal, starting his lifelong passion for zoology.
In his 1913 autobiography, Roosevelt reflected on that pivotal moment in his childhood, marking it as the beginning of his career as a zoologist and naturalist.
Despite his family's wealth, young Roosevelt faced health challenges, suffering from ailments such as asthma, tuberculosis, and spinal trouble, impacting his childhood activities.
Roosevelt's upbringing in an affluent New York family provided him with opportunities, yet it was his determination and curiosity that shaped him into a conservationist.
Read at Smithsonian Magazine
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