About Author: Molly

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Animal Hospital

– November 29, 2011Posted in: More, Zoo InternQuest

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!

Kirstin Clapham, a senior hospital keeper at the San Diego Zoo’s Jennings Center for Zoological Medicine, works with animals that thousands of people from all over come to the Zoo to see.

She works directly in conservation in a variety of ways by aiding in the quarantining of animals that are brought to the Zoo, helping to maintain the health of the animals, and nursing ones that are sick back to health.

Animals are usually put in quarantine for 30 days when they are coming from a different location. A large part of conservation for zoos is creating the best situation for procreation to occur. For this to happen, male animals are often traded between zoos, as it is more vital for the females to be comfortable by staying in the exhibit they are accustomed to. Before these males can be introduced to the new exhibits and to the females, precautions must be made to ensure that the animal is not carrying any diseases.

Although the exchange of males is very crucial for zoos, it is not the only reason animals are moved. Recently, Ubon, a Malayan tiger from Fresno, was brought here to the San Diego Zoo. He is now being quarantined but will not be introduced for breeding but rather as an exhibit animal. However, our male Malayan tiger, Paca, has gone to Fresno in his place to meet their females!

Currently, Ms. Clapham is involved with a conservation project with loggerhead shrikes, located on San Clemente Island. The project is an attempt to revive the loggerhead shrike population on the island, as it is one of the most endangered songbird species in North America. As part of the hospital staff, Kirstin helps to provide medical attention for Loggerhead Shrikes that are in need of care. The objective is to return them back to the island in a timely manner, where they can be back with natural habitat. The Zoo has helped to bring up the population to over 70.

Ms. Clapham often works with rare and endangered animals, making sure that they are healthy. She is part of a huge conservation effort, which helps her gain perspective on its importance. Her job allows her to help out a lot of animals and make a difference by maintaining the species that call the Zoo their home.

As a hospital keeper, Ms. Clapham is one of the primary caregivers for the animals. Along with doing numerous check-ups on the animals to see how they are doing, caregivers also feed, medicate, and weigh animals throughout the day. This is very important, as it helps to keep up the animals’ health, making sure that they are doing well. They are the eyes and the ears of all that goes on. The knowledge and use of veterinary care to all the animals, along with practice and hard work, allows animals to thrive and helps them to live healthy lives and hopefully procreate, aiding in the conservation of the species.

Molly, Conservation Team (week 5)

Working on the Wild Side

Molly

– November 29, 2011Posted in: More, Uncategorized, Zoo InternQuest

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work directly with fascinating animals, such as giraffes and rhinoceroses? If you were a mammal keeper, you would be doing just that on a daily basis.

On our last day of InternQuest, we met with Senior Mammal Keeper Torrey Pillsbury and Mammal Keeper Jennifer Minichino at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We learned all about their amazing jobs and what it takes to get to where they are.

Mrs. Pillsbury’s day starts in the forage warehouse. The warehouse is used to hold food for the animals such as Sudan, Bermuda, and alfalfa hay, and assorted sizes of pellets. Then she goes out to count the animals to make sure they are all still there. She tells the animals apart by notches and tags on their ears. These correspond to numbers, which keepers have to be able to read quickly, especially if the animals are moving, or they are being observed through binoculars. The animals are tagged using a tool that looks roughly like an industrial-sized ear-piercing device. The tags come in different colors, such as red, yellow, and orange, which represent different numbers. The notches and tags are put on the animals at birth.

One important part about Mrs. Pillsbury’s job is updating the keeper “red book,” which is used to record observations about the animals, information about their feeding, and any abnormalities. Her job changes every day, and she is often moving from one area to another. The people who work in her area after her may not know what went on the previous day, or changes that occurred with the animals, so it is vital that everything is recorded in the red book. Keepers move from area to area so that they can learn about all of the animals. This is also useful training in case they need to stand in for others.

Mrs. Minichino was first a penguin keeper at SeaWorld. She then worked at vet hospitals for several years before becoming a keeper. Mrs. Pillsbury began her education at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, as she wanted to become an agriculture teacher. She then realized that she wasn’t sure that was what she wanted to do, so she transferred to Grossmont College. She has an incredible wealth of experience! She grew up being a member of FFA and had many animals. She first became affiliated with the Safari Park when she received a call about an opening. She got a position running the horse show. Later, she worked with the elephant show for several years. After quitting, she trained horses for a while before coming back and becoming a keeper. For many departments at the Safari Park, you don’t have to have a particular degree, but one in animal science helps. Her favorite part of her job is being able to be around the animals. She is lucky enough to be outside so often, working with many types of mammals, such as okapis, gorillas, and gazelles. Her least favorite part is having to work in the rain every once in a while.

Being a keeper is such a rewarding job. People like Mrs. Minichino and Mrs. Pillsbury are able to work with amazing animals every day. Although they often work holidays and weekends, it’s worth it to be able to work so closely with these animals and to be able to help them thrive. They are able to learn from the animals and experience things that most people never do. Keepers are very important to the Safari Park; it’s vital to have them around.

Molly, Careers Team (Week 6)

Defrosting the Future

Molly

– November 1, 2011Posted in: Conservation, Conservation at the Zoo, More, Zoo InternQuest

It’s not every day that you get to use real scientific equipment in a real lab. Last week, on our visit to the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, we were lucky enough to be able to spend the afternoon with the Reproductive Physiology Division. We worked with Nicole Ravida, research coordinator, Carly Young, senior research technician, Kyle Hatashita, research intern, and Barbara Durrant, the director of the Reproductive Physiology Division. Our focus of the day was sperm, specifically, Tule elk sperm.

Our samples were obtained from the famous Frozen Zoo®, the Institute’s storage area where reproductive cells and other genetic material from rare and endangered species are frozen and preserved in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196 degrees Celsius, or -321 degrees Fahrenheit. We were all fascinated from the moment they took the specimens out of the metal container, which was so cold that white gas billowed out of it as it was opened. We waited with bated breath as the tubes of sperm were defrosted. Then came the part I had been looking forward to: using the microscopes.

Microscopes are used to look close up at the sperm cells to see if the sperm cells are active or not, and if so, how much they are moving. An important part of the freezing and thawing process is trying to find a way to do so without harming the sperm, also known as cryopreservation. This is done by freezing the sperm in a cryoprotectant, such as glycerol. This liquid helps to prevent the sample from becoming damaged when the water in the cells turns into ice crystals.

The Reproductive Physiology team works hard to find ways to preserve sperm cells. The sperm needs to be frozen safely when it is put into the Frozen Zoo. If a species were to become critically endangered, or even extinct, the sperm might help to bring back the population. It is vital for the public to know about protecting animal species and to stay informed on the importance of reproductive physiology, as the frozen specimens that are worked with there could play a key role in the future of animal conservation. Our trip to the Beckman Center for Conservation Research was exciting and taught me a lot about the importance of the freezing and thawing process of the sperm, and how it will help species continue to thrive.

Molly, Real World Team (Week 4)

San Diego, a City of Biodiversity

Molly

– October 25, 2011Posted in: Animals and Plants, Conservation, More, Projects in the Field, Reptiles and Amphibians, Zoo InternQuest

San Diego is an amazing place to be; you can drive to the desert, to the beach, and then up to the snow in the mountains, all within a day. San Diego is also considered a biodiversity hotspot, home to many different species of animals and plants, many of which are endangered.

On our trip to the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, Senior Research Technician Jean-Pierre Montagne, told us all about biodiversity.

San Diego consists of vernal pools, chaparral, coniferous forest, grassland, desert, riparian (streamside), and beaches. This is why we are such as hotspot for biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of life within an ecosystem, biome, or the Earth. A biodiverse area contains a number of species of microorganisms, animals, and plants, with a large assortment of genes within these species.

San Diego has 744 species of mammals, 492 species of birds, 82 species of reptiles, and 15 species of amphibians. This biodiversity is important because it actually increases the productivity of the ecosystems. Each and every species within a habitat, no matter how small it is, plays an important role. The combination of species allows the ecosystems to exhibit the ability to endure through and prevent a multitude of disasters. This is then useful for us. For example, more plant species can result in a greater variety of food crops, decreasing the need for foods to be shipped in. More animal species can result in an increase of pollination from animals that spread seeds and pollen, which leads to naturally sustained ecosystems.

While touring the Biodiversity Reserve at the Safari Park, we were able to look into some pitfall traps. Pitfall traps are buckets that are set out and checked each month to see how many and what kind of species are located here. The buckets are arranged in Y-shaped arrays and contain cotton, to keep mammals warm, and tubes, which provide shelter for animals. While searching through the buckets, we found several lizards. I was surprised to find out that the lizard that was the most abundant of the nine we caught, the orange-throated whiptail lizard, was also one of the most rare. It is currently on the IUCN Red List and is a California Species of Special Concern. Although they are rare in the County, they are quite plentiful at the Preserve. In 2007, the Witch Creek Fire burned parts of the San Pasqual Valley, including much of the 900-acre reserve. Miraculously, the orange-throated whiptail lizard survived this predicament, which damaged much of the habitat in which it lives, and continues to thrive here today.

San Diego is such a unique place, not only because it is a biodiversity hotspot, but also because it is home to many endemic species, ones that can only be found in our county. There are many things that you can do at home to preserve the biodiversity of your area. There are several organizations that you can become involved with that promote biodiversity conservation. You can volunteer to help do things such as picking up trash to protect animals that can accidentally eat small particles that we leave behind, or reach out to kids to inform them about the environment and local plants and animals. You can also help by planting native plants, which are necessary in keeping up the natural biodiversity and require less care than most exotics. Native biodiversity is very important, as it allows our environment to function properly and helps with many activities such as pollination, crop production, and the balance of species’ population. There are many ways that you can help out in your area, and it is important to become involved to protect the biodiversity to help maintain your region’s quality of life.

Molly, Real World Team (Week 3)

Stop and Smell the Flora

Molly

– October 20, 2011Posted in: Animals and Plants, More, Plants, Uncategorized, Zoo InternQuest

Did you know that bamboo is not just used to feed pandas, but also to make clothes, flooring, scaffolding, and is even used as an ingredient in beverages? I learned this fact while touring the Zoo with Horticulture Collections Manager Michael Letzring and Senior Horticulturist Judy Bell.

A part of the Zoo that the millions of visitors per year never notice is all of the amazing plants that reside there. Many people come to the Zoo to view and learn about the different species of animals on exhibit but don’t even realize how important, useful, and beautiful all of the vegetation is. As horticulturalists, Mr. Letzring and Ms. Bell are directly involved with teaching others about the plant life, and with the Zoo’s horticulture.

Horticulture is a huge part of what makes the Zoo so fascinating, and is very important to help it function. Horticulturists are interested in the science and management of plants, working and conducting research on cultivation, plant production, plant breeding, and more. They work with all types of vegetation, including trees, shrubs, flowers, grass, and fruits. Horticulturists like Mr. Letzring and Ms. Bell are such an important part of the Zoo staff, as they help maintain and improve the plant life by keeping it alive and flourishing. They are involved with many responsibilities that range from designing and developing exhibits, managing plants within these exhibits and in visitor areas, growing plants for the animals’ diets and enrichment, establishing a vast collection of plants for the Zoo, to raising awareness about plants and plant conservation.

Mr. Letzring didn’t always want to work with horticulture. When he was younger, his family had a garden that he worked in, but he was really interested in oceanography. Later, he realized that there was a demand for horticulturists, and after taking classes at a junior college, he fell in love with it and never left. He has been working in the Horticulture Department of the Zoo for 15 years, and before becoming the collections manager, held several positions including lead gardener and horticulture manager. He is interested in plants, especially edible plants. Edible plants are those that are safe to eat and often are vital in the diet of animals. Many are found within the Zoo, including tropical cherries, guavas, Hawaiian apple bananas, and dragon fruit.

A day at the Zoo for Mr. Letzring encompasses many activities. He enjoys getting his hands dirty and working directly with plant life, but he has many other responsibilities. As a manager, he does many things for the immediate need, such as filling in for others, but also spends some of his day doing paper work and managing budgets, or even getting involved in the more exciting aspects like exhibit design. When Mr. Letzring first started, a large part of his time was spent learning a lot about plants, but now he is able to share what he knows with others. He loves helping with conservation by giving information to others through activites like giving tours to interns like us.

Ms. Bell first got her degree at San Diego State University before starting her career at the Zoo in 1977. She then transferred over to the Horticulture Department ten years later, where she has been working ever since. Although she enjoys working with horticulture, there are many challenging aspects of her job. She has to try to make animals as comfortable as possible in their exhibits by utilizing plants to create an environment similar to their natural habitat. Ms. Bell has to try to create a landscape that works well with the exhibits and animals, while also looking at the aesthetic side.

One problem she has encountered was trying to make a functional artificial tree. She was able to come up with an innovative solution by creating a metal base for structure and filling it full of flex tubes. Cuttings of real branches with leaves were then connected off the sides, where they were provided with their own soil and irrigation system. From there, they would grow similarly to how they would on their original trees. It was appealing to viewers but also beneficial to the monkeys that were located in an exhibit next to it, because they had structural support and natural browse to choose from. Horticulturists are faced with many problems like this, and keep the exhibits running by working had to solve them.

It is vital for people to understand the importance of the plant life at the Zoo. Luckily, there are horticulturists like Mr. Letzring and Ms. Bell who are dedicated to getting the information to the public. Horticulture is a remarkable line of work that is very beneficial to our world. There are many ways to get into this field, whether you take the traditional route or you become involved in volunteer work to get experience. Zoo horticulture is much more than just planting and landscaping; it is critical for the well-being of vegetation and for informing people about the importance of the plants at zoos.

Molly, Careers Team (Week 2)

A Day in the Life of an Educator Guide

Molly

– October 12, 2011Posted in: More, Zoo InternQuest

At the San Diego Zoo, education is very important. It is critical to spread information about conservation and promote doing what you can, like recycling and being aware of the effects you have on nature.

Maya O’Connor is an educator guide at the Zoo and works hard to inform others about conservation, which is the Zoo’s main focus. She is great at engaging and captivating people with riveting facts, such as how jaguars have spots within their spots, which is one easy way to discern them from leopards, and how elephants are matriarchal in nature, which means that the females are in charge of the herds.

Ms. O’Connor is also involved in the interaction and training of animals. Trainers are introduced to animals and spend time alone with them to bond and form relationships. Positive reinforcement, such as food rewards, is used to aid with training. One of the animals that Ms. O’Connor works with is Armando Santiago, an 11-year-old 3-banded armadillo. Animals like this are brought to places such as children’s hospitals, schools, and retirement communities. This allows people of all ages to interact and learn about the animals and conservation.

Another important part of her job is the animal handling time throughout the week, which allows the trainer and animal to continue to form working relationships. But the best part of the job for Ms. O’Connor is when she gets to make someone’s day, whether they’re in preschool or age 100, by letting them pet a hedgehog or say “hi” to a porcupine.

Ms. O’Connor received her bachelor of science in animal science with a specialization in companion animals and a minor in education from the University of California, Davis. She also got her master’s in education there and has teaching credentials in both biology and agricultural education. Prior to her job here at the Zoo, she worked at a vet clinic, at UC Davis’s animal facilities dealing with the nursery and the dairy sections, and taught many classes as a high school agriculture teacher at Pleasant Grove High School. She applied to work at the Zoo when a job opened up and was 1 of 3 out of around 180 applicants to get accepted. She had to go through 40 hours of bus training and 40 hours of behind-the-scenes training to prepare for the job.

Ms. O’Connor recommends that if you want a job in this field, work hard. It takes a lot of experience, and education background is wanted, whether it is with animals or teaching. A good way to get involved and get the needed experience is to intern or volunteer in an animal or education-related field and to work your way into a job. Educating others and working with animals make for a wonderful and exciting job, and one that you all should think about.

Molly, Careers Team (Week 1)

Me, A Nature Girl

Molly

– October 11, 2011Posted in: More, Zoo InternQuest

Hey! My name is Molly, and I’m a high school junior and have a passion for animals. Ever since I was young, I have been surrounded by pets. My one dog and a beta fish quickly expanded to a dog, a parrot, several pigeons, and two hens.

I was constantly visiting the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park. This year I was lucky enough to be accepted into the Zoo InternQuest Program.

I enjoy horseback riding, watching hockey, playing piano, and trying to snowboard when there’s actually enough snow in southern Californian to do so. I have also attempted to do an array of sports, including soccer, skiing, wakeboarding, dance, gymnastics, surfing, and ice hockey. All of which I was not so great at, but enjoyed trying. Like a typical San Diegan, I love being outdoors, going to the beach, and anything else that involves being out in the sun and having fun, not that I don’t love the occasional rainy day that we get.

When I’m not at school or driving up to Los Angeles with my family for my brother’s hockey games, I can be found hanging out with friends, trying to do athletic things such as learning to skateboard (which usually means falling off a skateboard), or playing with my 10-year-old pug, who is more energetic than most puppies. I love watching TV, especially House, Scrubs, and Amazing Race, and can be easily talked into playing video games.

My whole life I have wanted to help save and study animals. As the years have gone by, my ambition to do so has only grown stronger. I have been involved in 4H, where I raised a variety of animals, from rats to chickens. The more I learn, the more interested I become.

I am so happy to be involved with Zoo InternQuest, as I hope to study wildlife conservation. I hope that it will help to grow my interest and knowledge in this field, and I know that it will be a great experience.

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