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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 adventure here on the Zoo’s website!
During this exciting first week of InternQuest, interns met with Kim Weibel, a member of the San Diego Zoo’s NACU (National Assisted Care Unit). While studying zoology in college, Ms. Weibel began an internship at the Minnesota Zoo. After graduating, she took a job studying spotted hyenas for two years in Africa. From there she applied for a job at the San Diego Zoo, where she began working in the nursery department with mammals of all kinds. Along with the other five members of the NACU team, Ms. Weibel cares for animals that may have sustained injuries or infections at birth, have experienced maternal neglect, or suffered from conspecific abuse, which is when other members of the family herd or group mistreat the baby.
When we first arrived, Ms. Weibel took us through a power point presentation, giving interns a peek inside her job as an NACU keeper. We learned that animals in need are taken care of at numerous areas around the Zoo. For instance, hoofstock are usually cared for within their own enclosure and have access to a heated area known as a “Howdy Pen” if they need to get away from their herd. Birds are typically reared in incubators for the first few weeks. However, taking care of the animals takes more than just a specialized location. Animals require litter markings, morning weigh-ins, specific dietary needs, administering medication, and so much more. Most baby animals that Ms. Weibel cares for require around the clock bottle-feeding.
Proper bottle-feeding is a science of itself. From the type of bottle tip to the actual formula used, there are many variables to consider. In order to emulate what a baby would drink from its mother, Ms. Weibel explained that both the size of the bottle tip as well as the size of the opening are critical to the care of the babies. Even more complex is determining the proper formula for each species. It’s important that each species gets the proper nutrition, based on the mother’s milk. As an example, Ms. Weibel walked us through making formula for a lesser kudu, which is a species of antelope native to the grasslands of Africa. The interns learned that most formulas are made from a combination of goat’s milk and a special type of formula dependent on the baby’s needs. With Ms. Weibel’s help, we calculated the proper mix of milk and powder formula. Once we measured the proper amounts we proceeded to mix the two ingredients. It is important that the mixing equipment is washed thoroughly before use to prevent the growth of bacteria. It was a lengthy process, straining and mixing the ingredients to make sure that the powder formula was fully dissolved. When we finally finished, we labeled our formulas by writing down their expiration date, and lastly, putting the mixture in the refrigerator.
As an exciting end to our day, Ms. Weibel took us behind the scenes to a mammal care facility where we observed an actual bottle-feeding of a lesser kudu. It was an experience that I will never forget. Thank you Ms. Weibel for reminding us that with so many mammals threatened or on the brink of extinction, proper care of baby animals in need is more important than ever.
Keith, Real World Team
Week One, Fall Session 2016
During this exciting first week of InternQuest, interns met with Kim Weibel, a member of the San Diego Zoo’s NACU (National Assisted Care Unit). While studying zoology in college, Ms. Weibel began an internship at the Minnesota Zoo. After graduating, she took a job studying spotted hyenas for two years in Africa. From there she applied for a job at the San Diego Zoo, where she began working in the nursery department with mammals of all kinds. Along with the other five members of the NACU team, Ms. Weibel cares for animals that may have sustained injuries or infections at birth, have experienced maternal neglect, or suffered from conspecific abuse, which is when other members of the family herd or group mistreat the baby.
When we first arrived, Ms. Weibel took us through a power point presentation, giving interns a peek inside her job as an NACU keeper. We learned that animals in need are taken care of at numerous areas around the Zoo. For instance, hoofstock are usually cared for within their own enclosure and have access to a heated area known as a “Howdy Pen” if they need to get away from their herd. Birds are typically reared in incubators for the first few weeks. However, taking care of the animals takes more than just a specialized location. Animals require litter markings, morning weigh-ins, specific dietary needs, administering medication, and so much more. Most baby animals that Ms. Weibel cares for require around the clock bottle-feeding.
Proper bottle-feeding is a science of itself. From the type of bottle tip to the actual formula used, there are many variables to consider. In order to emulate what a baby would drink from its mother, Ms. Weibel explained that both the size of the bottle tip as well as the size of the opening are critical to the care of the babies. Even more complex is determining the proper formula for each species. It’s important that each species gets the proper nutrition, based on the mother’s milk. As an example, Ms. Weibel walked us through making formula for a lesser kudu, which is a species of antelope native to the grasslands of Africa. The interns learned that most formulas are made from a combination of goat’s milk and a special type of formula dependent on the baby’s needs. With Ms. Weibel’s help, we calculated the proper mix of milk and powder formula. Once we measured the proper amounts we proceeded to mix the two ingredients. It is important that the mixing equipment is washed thoroughly before use to prevent the growth of bacteria. It was a lengthy process, straining and mixing the ingredients to make sure that the powder formula was fully dissolved. When we finally finished, we labeled our formulas by writing down their expiration date, and lastly, putting the mixture in the refrigerator.
As an exciting end to our day, Ms. Weibel took us behind the scenes to a mammal care facility where we observed an actual bottle-feeding of a lesser kudu. It was an experience that I will never forget. Thank you Ms. Weibel for reminding us that with so many mammals threatened or on the brink of extinction, proper care of baby animals in need is more important than ever.
Keith, Real World Team
Week One, Fall Session 2016
