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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!
It's not every day that you meet someone over 100 years old- that is, unless you’re Peter Gilson. This week, we had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand some parts of Mr. Gilson’s job as a Reptile Keeper and Educator at the San Diego Zoo. Shortly after meeting Mr. Gilson, he took us to see the Zoo’s oldest residents- the Galapagos tortoises. As we got acquainted with these gentle giants, Mr. Gilson told us about a day in the life as a reptile keeper. Caring for these fascinating tortoises was only a small portion of Mr. Gilson’s exciting job at the Zoo.
Mr. Gilson starts his days early, arriving at the Zoo around six in the morning to begin the daunting task of checking in on about 400 different reptiles and amphibians. After an initial visit with each animal, he begins to clean enclosures, change water dishes, and feed the animals. Each animal has a specific diet; the tortoises are fed a medley of greens and vegetables, some large snakes are given entire rabbits, and the many species of frogs housed at the Zoo are each given specific varieties of crickets. Even opening the enclosures is a challenge in itself. Mr. Gilson is always extra cautious around the small and speedy frogs or snakes that require careful monitoring. After completing these tasks, Mr. Gilson continues his day by preparing animal ambassadors for presentations, arranging vet visits, working on breeding programs, and administering medication. This is Mr. Gilson’s favorite part of the day because it brings about new and unexpected problems to solve. Although the hours are long, Mr. Gilson has always known he wanted to work at a Zoo with these reptiles and amphibians.
Growing up, Mr. Gilson lived in Alaska, where tropical frogs, turtles, and lizards are few and far between. When he was nine years old, his family took a road trip across the continental US. While chasing lizards and exploring various campgrounds, Mr. Gilson discovered his love of “creepy-crawlies”. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in biology. Mr. Gilson attended Point Loma Nazarene University and received a degree in environmental science with a minor in communications. He spent various summers as an intern for the Zoo’s reptile department, a research fellow for the Institute studying iguanas and frogs, and as a program aide at the Zoo’s education department. These early internships gave Mr. Gilson an opportunity to gain experience at the Zoo and helped him learn about the many animals he works with today. Today, his job focuses on many of the same aspects these internships did, including reptile and amphibian care, conservation efforts, and education. Another major part of Mr. Gilson’s job involves developing programs to educate populations on the importance of endangered species. Some recent project included helping students in Fiji learn about endangered iguanas and travelling to Mexico to teach people about unsustainable fishing practices. These special projects are another one of Mr. Gilson’s favorite parts of working at the Zoo.
So, how exactly did he secure this dream job? Mr. Gilson credits his past internship experiences, saying he has found people are more willing to pay you for something later if you show that you were willing to do it for free initially. He recommends that anyone with an interest in animals try to find an internship or volunteer program to participate in. He believes that everyone can find a program that they will enjoy, and especially recommends volunteering at a museum. Mr. Gilson says that his personal experience at the Natural History Museum gave him specific knowledge that he still finds useful to this day and helped him find a career at the Zoo.
Mr. Gilson has a job that is constantly difficult and rewarding. As he watches over hundreds of animals per day, Mr. Gilson is always ready to expect the unexpected. Although his job may require early mornings and long days, it is clear that Mr. Gilson loves what he does. He has been able to work closely with countless reptiles and amphibians, all while helping ensure that these species will be around for future generations to admire. As I pet the 125-year-old Galapagos tortoises, it was easy for me to see why Mr. Gilson had chosen to be a herpetologist.
Claire, Career Team
Week One, Winter Session 2017
It's not every day that you meet someone over 100 years old- that is, unless you’re Peter Gilson. This week, we had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand some parts of Mr. Gilson’s job as a Reptile Keeper and Educator at the San Diego Zoo. Shortly after meeting Mr. Gilson, he took us to see the Zoo’s oldest residents- the Galapagos tortoises. As we got acquainted with these gentle giants, Mr. Gilson told us about a day in the life as a reptile keeper. Caring for these fascinating tortoises was only a small portion of Mr. Gilson’s exciting job at the Zoo.
Mr. Gilson starts his days early, arriving at the Zoo around six in the morning to begin the daunting task of checking in on about 400 different reptiles and amphibians. After an initial visit with each animal, he begins to clean enclosures, change water dishes, and feed the animals. Each animal has a specific diet; the tortoises are fed a medley of greens and vegetables, some large snakes are given entire rabbits, and the many species of frogs housed at the Zoo are each given specific varieties of crickets. Even opening the enclosures is a challenge in itself. Mr. Gilson is always extra cautious around the small and speedy frogs or snakes that require careful monitoring. After completing these tasks, Mr. Gilson continues his day by preparing animal ambassadors for presentations, arranging vet visits, working on breeding programs, and administering medication. This is Mr. Gilson’s favorite part of the day because it brings about new and unexpected problems to solve. Although the hours are long, Mr. Gilson has always known he wanted to work at a Zoo with these reptiles and amphibians.
Growing up, Mr. Gilson lived in Alaska, where tropical frogs, turtles, and lizards are few and far between. When he was nine years old, his family took a road trip across the continental US. While chasing lizards and exploring various campgrounds, Mr. Gilson discovered his love of “creepy-crawlies”. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in biology. Mr. Gilson attended Point Loma Nazarene University and received a degree in environmental science with a minor in communications. He spent various summers as an intern for the Zoo’s reptile department, a research fellow for the Institute studying iguanas and frogs, and as a program aide at the Zoo’s education department. These early internships gave Mr. Gilson an opportunity to gain experience at the Zoo and helped him learn about the many animals he works with today. Today, his job focuses on many of the same aspects these internships did, including reptile and amphibian care, conservation efforts, and education. Another major part of Mr. Gilson’s job involves developing programs to educate populations on the importance of endangered species. Some recent project included helping students in Fiji learn about endangered iguanas and travelling to Mexico to teach people about unsustainable fishing practices. These special projects are another one of Mr. Gilson’s favorite parts of working at the Zoo.
So, how exactly did he secure this dream job? Mr. Gilson credits his past internship experiences, saying he has found people are more willing to pay you for something later if you show that you were willing to do it for free initially. He recommends that anyone with an interest in animals try to find an internship or volunteer program to participate in. He believes that everyone can find a program that they will enjoy, and especially recommends volunteering at a museum. Mr. Gilson says that his personal experience at the Natural History Museum gave him specific knowledge that he still finds useful to this day and helped him find a career at the Zoo.
Mr. Gilson has a job that is constantly difficult and rewarding. As he watches over hundreds of animals per day, Mr. Gilson is always ready to expect the unexpected. Although his job may require early mornings and long days, it is clear that Mr. Gilson loves what he does. He has been able to work closely with countless reptiles and amphibians, all while helping ensure that these species will be around for future generations to admire. As I pet the 125-year-old Galapagos tortoises, it was easy for me to see why Mr. Gilson had chosen to be a herpetologist.
Claire, Career Team
Week One, Winter Session 2017
