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! The interns experienced some good old-fashioned manual labor at Lake Hodges in Escondido this week as part of the Lake Hodges Habitat Restoration Project. Mr. Ryan Fitch, a Research Associate in the Plant Conservation Department, took the interns on a rigorous, half-mile trail as he talked about his work on the project. Let’s get straight to the “point,” shall we? Ah, cactus puns… The interns experienced some good old-fashioned manual labor at Lake Hodges in Escondido this week as part of the Lake Hodges Habitat Restoration Project. Mr. Ryan Fitch, a Research Associate in the Plant Conservation Department, took the interns on a rigorous, half-mile trail as he talked about his work on the project. Let’s get straight to the “point,” shall we? Ah, cactus puns… [caption id="attachment_120134" align="aligncenter" width="841"] This is the highly resourceful coastal cactus wren. In addition to making the prickly pear cactus his home, he also uses it as a food source. Coupled with insects, the prickly pears that the cactus bears make up the coastal cactus wren’s diet. Due to habitat loss, the coastal cactus wren’s numbers are waning. Resist the urge to kick those cacti![/caption] [caption id="attachment_120135" align="aligncenter" width="4068"] As a member of the Plant Conservation Department’s habitat restoration team, it is Mr. Ryan Fitch’s job to monitor and maintain the plant life found at Lake Hodges. Part of his work on the Lake Hodges Habitat Restoration Project is planting young prickly pear cactus so that, you guessed it, the coastal cactus wren can make its home amongst the scrubs and cacti.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120137" align="aligncenter" width="4608"] Luckily, all of the holes the interns planted cacti in were pre-dug by Mr. Fitch himself. How thoughtful! The coastal cactus wren’s natural predator is a bird of prey called a Cooper’s hawk, and they like to dwell around trees and forests. Because of this, the holes were dug in a wide space that’s free of trees so that the coastal cactus wren won’t be harassed.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120136" align="aligncenter" width="4608"] Remember that manual labor I talked about? Well, this is where it began. This truck carried dozens of young prickly pear cactus pots to Lake Hodges, where the interns subsequently took part in planting. The cacti came in all shapes and sizes, from small and balanced to long and lanky. The interns wore special gloves and gear to avoid getting pricked by these pokers.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120138" align="aligncenter" width="4608"] Before planting, you gotta make sure you have the right tools for the job! First, apply protective gloves and sleeves to your hands and arms respectively. You can see them in the bottom right of the picture! Next, acquire spades and tongs from the two buckets. Use the spades to dig any extra dirt out of the holes, and use the tongs to grip the cactus. Careful now![/caption] [caption id="attachment_120139" align="aligncenter" width="4608"] Even with all that high tech gear, you can still get a spiny surprise stuck in your fingers! Interns carried the prickly pear cacti to the planting spot, careful not to get any of those needles near their hands. Unfortunately, some of them got poked anyway, but Mr. Fitch foresaw this. With a pair of tweezers, he rushed to the rescue of those foolish enough to question the wrath of the cactus.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120141" align="aligncenter" width="4608"] Nice view, isn’t it? Luckily, this is a protected area, which means there won’t be any supermarkets getting built here anytime soon. The disappearance of the coastal cactus wren and its habitat are due in part to urban development. Across the lake, you can see dotted green spots on the hill. This is one of the remaining areas of coastal cactus wren habitat. Hopefully in a few years time, it will be just as green on this side.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120142" align="aligncenter" width="4608"] Here’s the star of the show, the prickly pear cactus! It may look like a cruel, unforgiving, spiny nuisance, but this pokey plant is what the endangered coastal cactus wren calls home. This one’s just a lil’ baby, but in 5-6 years it will be a full-grown cactus where the wrens will make their nest.[/caption] David, Photo Team Week Five, Fall Session 2016