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!
You don’t need to go to Africa in order to experience wildlife adventures, they are offered right here at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park! Last week, we were taken on a caravan safari by Torrey Pillsbury, who is a Senior Mammal Keeper at the Safari Park. From elephants, to lions, to giraffes, Ms. Pillsbury has worked with all types of animals since she started working at the Safari Park. On this caravan safari, we traveled in the back of a safari truck to visit and get an up-close view of Asian and African animals. San Diego Zoo Global’s ability to provide wildlife connections amongst its collection and incoming guests helps instill the need and desire for people to want to end extinction. Throughout our safari experience, Ms. Pillsbury told us about how the Safari Park helps achieve the San Diego Zoo Global’s mission to end extinction.
The Safari Park helps achieve the San Diego Zoo Global mission of ending extinction by aiding in breeding efforts of endangered species. At the Safari Park, people work together to help establish population growth by breeding animals and maintaining high levels of care for each individual animal. For instance, many of the animals at the Safari Park are part of a Species Survival Plan, which is a program managed by zoos and aquariums across the country working to protect endangered species worldwide. The goal is to create sustainable animal populations under controlled breeding and care. Then, the hope is to release these sustainable animal populations into the wild. Overall, the Safari Park is a safe haven for a variety of animal species to flourish.
The Institute for Conservation Research, Safari Park, and San Diego Zoo are working hard to save rhinos. Last week, Ms. Pillsbury let us feed and get an up-close encounter with two greater one-horned rhinos in the Asian Plains exhibit! Overall, there are five types of rhino species, the black, white, greater one-horned, Javan, and Sumatran. All five rhino species are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. Unfortunately, a few cultures around the world believe that rhino horn contains medicinal and magical properties. However this is not the case, rhino horns are made up of something called keratin, which is the same protein found in our fingernails and hair. As means of combating poaching, San Diego Zoo Global is funding projects to help protect rhinos in their natural habitat and conduct research in the field. Additionally, San Diego Zoo Global is fostering rhino breeding, and reproduction. You can also help rhinos by being aware of what you buy when you go traveling.
San Diego Zoo Global is inspiring change every day and working hard towards creating a better future for all wildlife. Throughout her work, Ms. Pillsbury loves to educate guests as a means to nurture a passion for wildlife conservation. You can support wildlife by educating people you know, supporting AZA accredited zoos, and visiting the Safari Park and San Diego Zoo. Combining San Diego Zoo Global’s efforts and your involvement, we can bring species back from the brink of extinction!
Maranda, Conservation Team
Week Six, Winter Session 2019
