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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 jobs, and the blog about their experience online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website!
The interns came together to experience one last adventure as our journey came to a close. In our final week, we took an unforgettable exploration through the African and Asian plains on a caravan truck. In the good hands of Senior Mammal Keepers, Torrey Pillsbury and Roger Petersen, we traveled through the wide-ranging field enclosure of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Along the way, the interns made some amazing memories as we came face to face with rhinos, giraffes, and a wide variety of hoofstock.
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Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen are veterans when it comes to the business of mammal keeping. Both have exceed two decades worth of experiences and dedication, Ms. Pillsbury has been with the Safari Park for over 32 years and Mr. Petersen has been at the Safari Park for over 25. Together they have cared for many different species of mammals throughout their careers, and they were able to bestow upon us their vast knowledge and experience during our brief time with them. It is clear to see by the enthusiasm that still shines in their demeanor that they love every second of their job, as each day is a new adventure.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116322" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
Before we hit the road, Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen showed us the office in which their day begins. They explained to us their organizational system that ensures that everything done throughout the day runs smoothly. First, there is a white board detailing their daily assignments. Then, there is a red book that provides identification for each animal within their string, as well as, recorded births, injuries, and special diets. In the red book, keepers will also record important information that occurred during the day for the reference of other keepers. The success of the system is dependent on being thorough and accurate.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116324" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
After our office tour, we packed into the caravan ready to experience part two of Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen’s day. As we traveled down the bumpy road, we plucked acacia leaves from branches as Ms. Pillsbury tried to remain mysterious about which animals we would encounter. As we later found out these acacia leaves would be quite handy in feeding some very enthusiastic giraffes.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116325" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
As we continued through the enclosure, we were able to get up close and personal with one of the Savanna’s most prominent animals; the giraffes. As we came to a stop, we were soon surrounded by a tower of reticulated giraffes. I can tell you personally that giraffes are friendly and energetic creatures that enjoyed our interaction, just as much as we did.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116327" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
Intern Aliciá takes a second to allow me to capture the moment of her feeding a giraffe calf. It is a memory she will never forget. Throughout our experience with InternQuest we have been exposed to the plethora of opportunities available to be involved with managing wildlife, whether that is in the field doing conservation biology, or in a lab with a ground breaking geneticists. Professionals from all trades are appreciated, when it comes to taking steps to better the welfare of all animals.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116328" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
Intern Patrick is captured in the moment as he has some one on one time with a tenacious calf. To Patrick this experience meant the world to him, as Patrick is passionate about pursuing a career in zoo keeping. Patrick came into InternQuest knowing that he wished to pursue a career in zoo keeping because he thought that was the only job available in which you could work hands on with the animals. Although, he still remains adamant in his path, this experience has opened other doors of possibilities that would allow him to work personally with animals, like enrichment and behavioral sciences.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116329" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
As we moved along in our safari journey, we encountered some Kenyan impala. As you can imagine, identifying each individual is a hassle when they blend in with the crowd. This is an issue Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen would have to deal with every day if there wasn’t a detailed identification system in place.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116330" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
Specifically, if an individual animal needs extra care or attention, it becomes even more important to have a sophisticated identification system in place. This system is fairly simple, because the animals are often ID at distance. A colored tag and the position of each notch corresponds with a unique identification number. The act of notching and tagging is a non-invasive procedure that does not interfere with the natural behaviors of the animal.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116332" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
The handsome fellow is Bohpu, and he is a greater one-horned rhino. As the interns fed him a nutritious snack of apples and carrots, we witnessed his prehensile upper lip in action. His upper lip cleverly acts like a finger, which allows him to grab the food from our hands. In the wild, Bohpu would use his upper lip to grasp food items and bring them into his mouth. The experience was no doubt mind blowing, as not may people can say they have fed a rhino.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116333" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
A constant theme throughout our InternQuest experience has been the versatility and importance of conservation, and today was no different. We were able to experience first-hand the management and monitoring of animals under managed care; whether, that is keeping extensive records, keeping track of population size, or being aware of animal behavior. Ms. Pillsbury expresses the importance of zoos as they create a personal relationship between wild animals and the public, in the hopes that the public will take action in combating issues that wild animals are facing today.[/caption]
Samantha, Photo Team
Week Six, Winter Session 2016
Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen are veterans when it comes to the business of mammal keeping. Both have exceed two decades worth of experiences and dedication, Ms. Pillsbury has been with the Safari Park for over 32 years and Mr. Petersen has been at the Safari Park for over 25. Together they have cared for many different species of mammals throughout their careers, and they were able to bestow upon us their vast knowledge and experience during our brief time with them. It is clear to see by the enthusiasm that still shines in their demeanor that they love every second of their job, as each day is a new adventure.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116322" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Before we hit the road, Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen showed us the office in which their day begins. They explained to us their organizational system that ensures that everything done throughout the day runs smoothly. First, there is a white board detailing their daily assignments. Then, there is a red book that provides identification for each animal within their string, as well as, recorded births, injuries, and special diets. In the red book, keepers will also record important information that occurred during the day for the reference of other keepers. The success of the system is dependent on being thorough and accurate.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116324" align="aligncenter" width="450"] After our office tour, we packed into the caravan ready to experience part two of Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen’s day. As we traveled down the bumpy road, we plucked acacia leaves from branches as Ms. Pillsbury tried to remain mysterious about which animals we would encounter. As we later found out these acacia leaves would be quite handy in feeding some very enthusiastic giraffes.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116325" align="aligncenter" width="450"] As we continued through the enclosure, we were able to get up close and personal with one of the Savanna’s most prominent animals; the giraffes. As we came to a stop, we were soon surrounded by a tower of reticulated giraffes. I can tell you personally that giraffes are friendly and energetic creatures that enjoyed our interaction, just as much as we did.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116327" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Intern Aliciá takes a second to allow me to capture the moment of her feeding a giraffe calf. It is a memory she will never forget. Throughout our experience with InternQuest we have been exposed to the plethora of opportunities available to be involved with managing wildlife, whether that is in the field doing conservation biology, or in a lab with a ground breaking geneticists. Professionals from all trades are appreciated, when it comes to taking steps to better the welfare of all animals.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116328" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Intern Patrick is captured in the moment as he has some one on one time with a tenacious calf. To Patrick this experience meant the world to him, as Patrick is passionate about pursuing a career in zoo keeping. Patrick came into InternQuest knowing that he wished to pursue a career in zoo keeping because he thought that was the only job available in which you could work hands on with the animals. Although, he still remains adamant in his path, this experience has opened other doors of possibilities that would allow him to work personally with animals, like enrichment and behavioral sciences.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116329" align="aligncenter" width="450"] As we moved along in our safari journey, we encountered some Kenyan impala. As you can imagine, identifying each individual is a hassle when they blend in with the crowd. This is an issue Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Petersen would have to deal with every day if there wasn’t a detailed identification system in place.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116330" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Specifically, if an individual animal needs extra care or attention, it becomes even more important to have a sophisticated identification system in place. This system is fairly simple, because the animals are often ID at distance. A colored tag and the position of each notch corresponds with a unique identification number. The act of notching and tagging is a non-invasive procedure that does not interfere with the natural behaviors of the animal.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116332" align="aligncenter" width="450"] The handsome fellow is Bohpu, and he is a greater one-horned rhino. As the interns fed him a nutritious snack of apples and carrots, we witnessed his prehensile upper lip in action. His upper lip cleverly acts like a finger, which allows him to grab the food from our hands. In the wild, Bohpu would use his upper lip to grasp food items and bring them into his mouth. The experience was no doubt mind blowing, as not may people can say they have fed a rhino.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_116333" align="aligncenter" width="450"] A constant theme throughout our InternQuest experience has been the versatility and importance of conservation, and today was no different. We were able to experience first-hand the management and monitoring of animals under managed care; whether, that is keeping extensive records, keeping track of population size, or being aware of animal behavior. Ms. Pillsbury expresses the importance of zoos as they create a personal relationship between wild animals and the public, in the hopes that the public will take action in combating issues that wild animals are facing today.[/caption]
Samantha, Photo Team
Week Six, Winter Session 2016
