About Author: Sierra

Typically, a lot of previous experience is required before being considered for a position with San Diego Zoo Global. It is rare to get a career straight out of college. In the case of Mr. Montagne, his dedication paid off. Shortly after receiving a bachelor’s degree in biology specializing in behavior, ecology, and evolution, from the University of California, San Diego, he received a volunteer position with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. He started with observation work with rhinoceroses and then moved on to condor observation. After his brief time observing the condors, he landed a paid position with the Institute for Conservation Research.

Working in the field is a highlight of Mr. Montagne’s job. Currently he is researching the California ground squirrel. Why ground squirrels? Ground squirrels are masters of a very important task: burrowing to create tunnels and alcoves underground. This is the exact skill that researchers and field personnel need for saving burrowing owls, a species that is currently on the decline across the county. Burrowing owl habitat is being destroyed, and Mr. Montagne is participating in efforts to restore it. Along with his ground squirrel work, he also monitors the biodiversity at the Safari Park Native Biodiversity Preserve using pitfall traps. This area is abundant with native species of snakes, lizards, and birds. This coastal sage scrub preserve is home to numerous animals that all play a role in the biodiversity of San Diego County. There is where we had the exciting experience of checking the pitfall traps and recording the data under the supervision of Mr. Montagne.

The experience of walking in Mr. Montagne’s shoes in the field, by checking traps and making observations, was invigorating and made me feel like an actual researcher. The pitfall trap project has been around for approximately 15 years, growing and accumulating more data each month. The traps are open eight months of the year, February to November, generating an almost constant stream of data. In the field there are 7 arrays, Y-like structures, consisting of 144 buckets total. We discovered some of San Diego County’s biodiversity hands-on, encountering a variety of reptiles in the pitfall traps. My partner and I were lucky enough to find a juvenile orange-throated whiptail lizard. This species has many distinguishing characteristics such as five or six stripes running parallel, from head to tail down the back and sides of the lizard. Once they reach adulthood, the males, and occasionally females, have a distinct orange throat most prominent in breeding season. We recorded the data on this lizard and a few others. It was exciting to be able to interact with the biodiversity around us and to learn about how the research being done is beneficial.

Being able to experience what Mr. Montagne does was phenomenal. I enjoyed every moment from inside the Institute to out in the field. After learning about his routine of collecting data and the monitoring of the Native Biodiversity Preserve, it made me feel fortunate enough to call this home. My time with him reminded me that working hard and staying focused will always be a benefit to my future. Mr. Montagne’s is currently back at school at San Diego State University pursuing a master’s degree. Some advice that Mr. Montagne gave for an aspiring teenager is to volunteer for specific positions related to the career you want to pursue and, above all, go to school. Walking in someone else’s footsteps for an afternoon was fun, but the journey it will take to get to a career like Mr. Montagne’s takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Hopefully the finish line is exactly what you are striving for.

Sierra, Careers Team (week 3)

When the need arises to feed babies at the NACU, there are a series of provisions on formula and feeding. Imagine being a mother of not only one but five completely different babies. All of the babies have separate requirements from nipple size, size of the hole, formula temperature, and amount to feed to the way you feed, and especially the feeding schedule. It sounds overwhelming, but for Ms. Kier it is normal to deal with such diversity.

Each time a new baby comes to the NACU, the staff must adapt, just as a mother would adapt to her new baby. Choosing the right nipple and hole from which the formula flows through is crucial. For instance, if the nipple is not correct, the baby may try too hard to get the formula, becoming exhausted from the work and no longer wanting to eat. Or the baby could be flooded with formula, causing the abundance of liquids to get into their lungs and aspirate. Both are very dangerous and could cause harm. Temperature of the formula can differ from each baby, but they usually enjoy it around the body temperature that their mother would naturally have.

The keepers feed babies as their animal mothers would. A human mother would cradle the child so it felt comfortable and upright; well, every mammal does not eat like that. The mammals similar to us are primates, and they also cradle their young. The digestive system for each species is made specifically for how they should eat in the wild. For example, cheetah cubs lay on their stomachs because their mothers would be lying on their side for them to nurse. The keepers try to mimic these natural ways of eating. There are so many needs, but one of the most important is the feeding schedule. The size and age of the baby determines how much and how often they need to be fed. There is a lot of variance; it could be 3 times a day all the way to as many as 12 times a day. Good thing human babies don’t have to be fed 12 times a day!

The work and dedication that goes into the NACU revolves around the health and growth of the babies. Both of these are linked by the formulas that are determined by the Zoo’s nutritionists. They supply the NACU with a detailed list of ingredients, amounts, and dosages that need to be administered daily by NACU keepers. The list of different types of calculated animal formulas is pages long and the requirements for these formulas vary. For instances, take a baby pygmy marmoset, which weighs .0264 pounds, or a newborn camel that weighs 72 pounds. How much formula the baby receives is dependent on the size and age of the baby. Fortunately, the Zoo works with a company that supplies the majority of the formula powder used in the nutrition plans for the babies. These powders are commonly the same you would feed kittens or puppies. When the Zoo needs a shipment of the formula powder, an order is placed specifically for the babies that they are currently feeding. The order is then delivered to the forage warehouse located on Zoo grounds, where it will be kept until needed and used by the keepers. All of this work is to ensure the correct formula is created, specific to each animal’s need.

The best reward for the NACU keepers is when there is a sense of a “animal graduation,” meaning when the animals are finally healthy enough to survive on their own and have shown great improvement over the course of time to move out on to exhibit or back with their families. A great success story of the NACU is that of Isa. He is a fossa, native to Madagascar. Isa is very lucky because his mother was unable to provide for her young, and NACU needed to play an active role. Isa was given his name from the Malagasy word for “one.” Isa was kept under the care of the NACU where they could provide adequate and appropriate formula and monitor his growth and development. Isa now has the special title of animal ambassador here at the San Diego Zoo and is just one of the numerous success stories of the NACU. Isa is currently living in the Children’s Zoo and is very happy and energetic. If you want to know the full story of Isa, click on http://blogarchives.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/02/fossa-pup-update/ to read more.

All of the work and support given to Isa is just one example of the many animals that have been helped by the NACU. The nutrition and growth of any animal is highly important, and with the correct formula and proper care, an animal is given a greater chance of survival. Go see Isa the next time you’re at the Zoo. Use his name and he just might answer you with a purr or a chirp!

Sierra,  Real World Team (week 6)

Matt Akel was also hesitant about a career choice but quickly found his place once he realized just what he wanted. In high school, Mr. Akel discovered he wanted to become a marine biologist. He continued on this path in college, and then had an epiphany that led him to switch majors and pursue a career in zoo keeping. This new path led him to major in psychology and double minor in biology and English. For those who desire this same career, Mr. Akel has some valuable advice: begin volunteering now. By volunteering, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and grow stronger professionally. Mr. Akel did a substantial amount of professional and volunteer work prior to coming to the Zoo.

Mr. Akel’s volunteer experience began while in high school, at Parrot Jungle and Gardens in Florida, a bird sanctuary, wildlife habitat, and botanical garden. This experience gave Mr. Akel his first inside look at a career in wildlife. By working with a group of other students and having the ability to have hands-on interaction with animals, Mr. Akel was allowed to experience different situations and circumstances that helped him later in his career. Once in college at the University of Miami, he put in extra hours with a marine mammal stranding team. This team was responsible for rescuing stranded marine mammals along Florida’s coast that had found their way to the shore, due to sickness or other problems. Before his position at the San Diego Zoo, he also worked at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas. It was at this zoo where he was able to learn fundamental skills and knowledge needed to get hired on at the San Diego Zoo as a keeper in 2002. He held that position for nine years, and during those years had the opportunity to work with animals like polar bears and primates. After a lot of hard work and dedication, Mr. Akel was promoted to animal care supervisor, where he manages several areas of the Lost Forest, which includes animals such as the Malayan tigers and hippopotamus. His previous work experience proved to be very valuable and had a positive impact on his career. If you desire to be a part of any zoo staff, it is greatly suggested that you start volunteering and get involved in some type of animal and/or wildlife organization so that you start acquiring a variety of work experience.

On a personal note, Mr. Akel had some vital information to share with anyone who is interested in a career like his. When it comes to college, make sure you explore multiple majors. In his opinion, when looking at colleges and the courses they offer, keep an eye out for biology, psychology, and zoology. Those majors will help provide you with options in a zoo keeping career. Two great colleges he specifically mentions looking into are Moorpark College in Ventura County, and University of California, Davis. Everyone spends a large amount of time researching the options of potential colleges, but if you are lost in the confusion of decisions, just remember what you want your life to mean. For example, one of Mr. Akel’s main goals is to promote and contribute to the conservation of endangered species. His career in a management role helps him accomplish this each day. Try to remember who you are and what you want during all the chaos, and strive for that. The road may even lead you to life as a zoo keeper!

Sierra, Careers Team (week 4)

Out of the many hobbies I enjoy, some that I love the most are watercolor, pencil art, ceramic decorating, horseback riding, animals, and, most important, agriculture.

The agriculture part of my life consists of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), a national organization that begins for high school students and can quite literally never end. I could never imagine my life without this organization. Any chance I have to interact with animals or anything pertaining to nature is always worth my time. FFA gives me opportunities to meet new people, see new places, and learn new things.

Having a fast-paced life is never a worry for me; however, I always take time to slow down and take a breath. I recommend to anyone that you take the chance to smell the flowers and enjoy spending time outside with family. The world we live in is a beautiful, wondrous place, and every day should be acknowledged.

I have left my profile short and sweet so that you can get to the good stuff! I hope you will follow my blogs and enjoy the information I share with you during my Zoo InternQuest adventure. It’s looking to be a very interesting and exciting one!