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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 their jobs, and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website!
During the second week InternQuest, interns had the opportunity to speak with Kim Livingstone, an animal care supervisor for the Primate Department at the San Diego. Ms. Livingstone has worked with primates at the San Diego Zoo since 1993. Through our fascinating time with Ms. Livingstone, interns learned the basics of primate care for bonobos to orangutans.
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Ms. Livingstone attended Moorpark college, where she received a degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management. After graduation, she began a job with the Miami Metro Zoo where she worked in the bird department. After a few years with the Miami Metro Zoo, she joined the San Diego Zoo in 1988 working in the bird department. However, five years later Ms. Livingstone switched to primates, where she still works today.[/caption]
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At the start of the afternoon, Ms. Livingstone took us to the bonobo enclosure, where interns had the chance to look at the bonobos from a private balcony. The enclosure itself is very large with plenty of space for the apes to climb, swing, socialize, and overall have a good time. So with a fantastic aerial view, interns received an up close glimpse into the behavior of the bonobos.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119685" align="aligncenter" width="441"]
Interns learned that bonobos are matriarchal, or a female dominant species, native to a small country in Africa known as the Dominican Republic of the Congo. Through scientific study and observation, bonobos are known to display many human emotions and behaviors. Here, one of the Zoo’s female bonobos quietly observes Ms. Livingstone and the other interns on the balcony from her grassy enclosure.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119687" align="aligncenter" width="387"]
Cali, one of the oldest members of the Zoo’s bonobo family, quietly sits on a hammock, seemingly pondering life. Cali, like the other bonobos receive enrichment in order to mimic behaviors that they would naturally exhibit in the wild. Bonobos receive enrichment through the food they eat, methods of finding foods, ropes, hammocks, and different types of terrain to encourage them to run around the enclosure.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119689" align="aligncenter" width="420"]
After interns learned about bonobos and their behaviors, Ms. Livingstone brought us to Parker Aviary where we saw many birds, such as this toucan. We discovered that the San Diego Zoo is experimenting with keeping golden headed lion tamarin monkeys in the aviary to live alongside the birds. So far, the project has gone extremely well, with the monkeys socializing with animals that they would normally see in the wild.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119690" align="aligncenter" width="428"]
While interns were in the aviary, we saw a beautiful Andean cock-of-the-rock. Ms. Livingstone took the opportunity to teach us about this interesting bird. During mating season, these Andean birds gather in large groups where the males display elaborate vocalizations and dances in order to attract the females. The males throughout the aviary were displaying this behavior, attempting to attract the female’s attention on the other side of the exhibit.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119692" align="aligncenter" width="457"]
After the trip to the aviary, interns went to the orangutan enclosure to get an inside look into the care and management of these apes. Once orangutans head in for the night, they each have access to their own climate controlled room with a flat screen TV and various paintings to stimulate healthy brain activity. Once breeding season comes along, male orangutans, like the one above, perform a very loud sound that can be heard throughout the entire Zoo thanks to their massive cheek flaps.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119691" align="aligncenter" width="427"]
As the experience came to a close, Ms. Livingstone took some time to explain the reasoning for the white lines on the glass. Many birds fly through the zoo every year during their migration. Birds often have trouble seeing glass, which can lead to unfortunate accidents. In order to prevent these accidents, the zoo sometimes places these white lines on the glass windows to help birds avoid the glass.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119693" align="aligncenter" width="408"]
Prior to our afternoon with Ms. Livingstone, a little birdy told us she loved garden gnomes. As a thank you for her time and interest in our program, the interns presented her with a very special gift. It was a great end to an informative and fascinating afternoon.[/caption]
Keith, Photo Team
Week Two, Fall Session 2016
Ms. Livingstone attended Moorpark college, where she received a degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management. After graduation, she began a job with the Miami Metro Zoo where she worked in the bird department. After a few years with the Miami Metro Zoo, she joined the San Diego Zoo in 1988 working in the bird department. However, five years later Ms. Livingstone switched to primates, where she still works today.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119688" align="aligncenter" width="352"] At the start of the afternoon, Ms. Livingstone took us to the bonobo enclosure, where interns had the chance to look at the bonobos from a private balcony. The enclosure itself is very large with plenty of space for the apes to climb, swing, socialize, and overall have a good time. So with a fantastic aerial view, interns received an up close glimpse into the behavior of the bonobos.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119685" align="aligncenter" width="441"] Interns learned that bonobos are matriarchal, or a female dominant species, native to a small country in Africa known as the Dominican Republic of the Congo. Through scientific study and observation, bonobos are known to display many human emotions and behaviors. Here, one of the Zoo’s female bonobos quietly observes Ms. Livingstone and the other interns on the balcony from her grassy enclosure.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119687" align="aligncenter" width="387"] Cali, one of the oldest members of the Zoo’s bonobo family, quietly sits on a hammock, seemingly pondering life. Cali, like the other bonobos receive enrichment in order to mimic behaviors that they would naturally exhibit in the wild. Bonobos receive enrichment through the food they eat, methods of finding foods, ropes, hammocks, and different types of terrain to encourage them to run around the enclosure.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119689" align="aligncenter" width="420"] After interns learned about bonobos and their behaviors, Ms. Livingstone brought us to Parker Aviary where we saw many birds, such as this toucan. We discovered that the San Diego Zoo is experimenting with keeping golden headed lion tamarin monkeys in the aviary to live alongside the birds. So far, the project has gone extremely well, with the monkeys socializing with animals that they would normally see in the wild.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119690" align="aligncenter" width="428"] While interns were in the aviary, we saw a beautiful Andean cock-of-the-rock. Ms. Livingstone took the opportunity to teach us about this interesting bird. During mating season, these Andean birds gather in large groups where the males display elaborate vocalizations and dances in order to attract the females. The males throughout the aviary were displaying this behavior, attempting to attract the female’s attention on the other side of the exhibit.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119692" align="aligncenter" width="457"] After the trip to the aviary, interns went to the orangutan enclosure to get an inside look into the care and management of these apes. Once orangutans head in for the night, they each have access to their own climate controlled room with a flat screen TV and various paintings to stimulate healthy brain activity. Once breeding season comes along, male orangutans, like the one above, perform a very loud sound that can be heard throughout the entire Zoo thanks to their massive cheek flaps.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119691" align="aligncenter" width="427"] As the experience came to a close, Ms. Livingstone took some time to explain the reasoning for the white lines on the glass. Many birds fly through the zoo every year during their migration. Birds often have trouble seeing glass, which can lead to unfortunate accidents. In order to prevent these accidents, the zoo sometimes places these white lines on the glass windows to help birds avoid the glass.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119693" align="aligncenter" width="408"] Prior to our afternoon with Ms. Livingstone, a little birdy told us she loved garden gnomes. As a thank you for her time and interest in our program, the interns presented her with a very special gift. It was a great end to an informative and fascinating afternoon.[/caption]
Keith, Photo Team
Week Two, Fall Session 2016
