Image
Image
Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website!
Rolling hills and dusty plains spread over the thousands of acres at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Giraffes, rhinos, and hoofstock from all over Asia and Africa dot the landscape. Caravans of visitors ooh and ahh at the giraffes greedily snatching acacia leaves from their hands. Senior Animal Keepers, Ms. Torrey Pillsbury and Mr. Roger Petersen, manage the northern section of the Park. Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen have worked at the Safari Park for a combined total of 57 years. Along with six other north crew members, they feed, manage, and clean the large field exhibits on a daily basis.
Mr. Petersen and Ms. Pillsbury begin their mornings at the office going over logs and catching up with the rest of the crew. Although keepers spend the majority of their day out in the field, office work is an important aspect of the job. In a rather mundane looking office room, schedules are scribbled on whiteboards and record books are stacked on shelves. Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen use daily logs and birth records to keep track of all the animals under their care. Given the many animals under their care, organization is essential for these two. Daily logs are used to transcribe the day’s events, as well as observations and important facts for future use. In addition, birth records are kept in order to track the birthing success of individuals, who is related to whom and breeding history. Furthermore, organization comes in handy out in the field. A specialized ear notch identification system uses tags and notches in the right ear to identify individual animals, while a count card is used to count the various species.
Ms. Pillsbury began her career at the Safari Park at age 19 when she was hired to be a part of the Park’s horse show. She later went on to work in the elephant show as well. If you are interested in becoming a keeper, Ms. Pillsbury stresses the importance of animal experience, especially hands-on activities, including care and cleaning. Mr. Petersen is no exception to this advice. He previously worked at Sea World before joining the team of mammal keepers at the Safari Park. Ms. Pillsbury’s experience with horses makes it no surprise that one of her favorite animals to work with is the Somali wild ass! It also means she's pretty good with a lasso, which is an essential piece of equipment for the keepers. When it comes to collecting and holding animals, they can manage almost anything as long as it isn't giraffe or rhino sized. Although experience is helpful, Keepers are always trained when it comes to safety and driving. Staff at both the Zoo and Safari Park attend monthly safety classes and meetings, and even, go through training to drive any large vehicle on grounds. Keepers are moved to a new section of the Park every couple of years in order to diversify their skills and minimize complacency. Mistakes are the main cause of accidents and injuries at the Park, so keepers should always be on full alert with undivided attention on the task at hand.
As a successful Senior Animal Keeper who has worked at the Park for 32 years, Ms. Pillsbury had some wise advice to future keepers. When working with animals, common sense and patience will get you far. But when working as a team, being open minded to different ideas and methods will get you farther. Lastly, and most importantly, you can’t be afraid to get your boots muddy every now and then (or daily). When Ms. Pillsbury was asked what was most rewarding about her job, she didn't hesitate. Taking care of animals, many of whom have lost their native habitats, and teaching people to care about animals as living beings whose lives have worth and meaning.
Glenna, Career Team
Week Six, Winter Session 2016
Rolling hills and dusty plains spread over the thousands of acres at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Giraffes, rhinos, and hoofstock from all over Asia and Africa dot the landscape. Caravans of visitors ooh and ahh at the giraffes greedily snatching acacia leaves from their hands. Senior Animal Keepers, Ms. Torrey Pillsbury and Mr. Roger Petersen, manage the northern section of the Park. Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen have worked at the Safari Park for a combined total of 57 years. Along with six other north crew members, they feed, manage, and clean the large field exhibits on a daily basis.
Mr. Petersen and Ms. Pillsbury begin their mornings at the office going over logs and catching up with the rest of the crew. Although keepers spend the majority of their day out in the field, office work is an important aspect of the job. In a rather mundane looking office room, schedules are scribbled on whiteboards and record books are stacked on shelves. Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen use daily logs and birth records to keep track of all the animals under their care. Given the many animals under their care, organization is essential for these two. Daily logs are used to transcribe the day’s events, as well as observations and important facts for future use. In addition, birth records are kept in order to track the birthing success of individuals, who is related to whom and breeding history. Furthermore, organization comes in handy out in the field. A specialized ear notch identification system uses tags and notches in the right ear to identify individual animals, while a count card is used to count the various species.
Ms. Pillsbury began her career at the Safari Park at age 19 when she was hired to be a part of the Park’s horse show. She later went on to work in the elephant show as well. If you are interested in becoming a keeper, Ms. Pillsbury stresses the importance of animal experience, especially hands-on activities, including care and cleaning. Mr. Petersen is no exception to this advice. He previously worked at Sea World before joining the team of mammal keepers at the Safari Park. Ms. Pillsbury’s experience with horses makes it no surprise that one of her favorite animals to work with is the Somali wild ass! It also means she's pretty good with a lasso, which is an essential piece of equipment for the keepers. When it comes to collecting and holding animals, they can manage almost anything as long as it isn't giraffe or rhino sized. Although experience is helpful, Keepers are always trained when it comes to safety and driving. Staff at both the Zoo and Safari Park attend monthly safety classes and meetings, and even, go through training to drive any large vehicle on grounds. Keepers are moved to a new section of the Park every couple of years in order to diversify their skills and minimize complacency. Mistakes are the main cause of accidents and injuries at the Park, so keepers should always be on full alert with undivided attention on the task at hand.
As a successful Senior Animal Keeper who has worked at the Park for 32 years, Ms. Pillsbury had some wise advice to future keepers. When working with animals, common sense and patience will get you far. But when working as a team, being open minded to different ideas and methods will get you farther. Lastly, and most importantly, you can’t be afraid to get your boots muddy every now and then (or daily). When Ms. Pillsbury was asked what was most rewarding about her job, she didn't hesitate. Taking care of animals, many of whom have lost their native habitats, and teaching people to care about animals as living beings whose lives have worth and meaning.
Glenna, Career Team
Week Six, Winter Session 2016
