” For in the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” ““ Baba Dioum

As part of the conservation team, I was really looking forward to meeting with Wes Mason, lead educator at the San Diego Zoo, to explore different aspects of conservation. I was not exactly certain what conservation consists of, but Mr. Mason changed that.
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Have you ever been to the elephant exhibit at the Zoo and wondered what all those balls and odd shaped objects hanging in the enclosure were? Or how about that 300 lb. metal ball with holes in it? Well, as I learned from senior mammal keeper Tim Davis, these are enrichment items for the elephants. Another way of looking at enrichment items, which range from fruit frozen in ice to hidden new foods, is that they are toys that make the animals work and think. In the case of the elephants, they just happen to be an oversized version of dog toys that the owner can hide food in.
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Feeding and training large mammals seems like it would be all fun and games, but senior mammal keeper Tim Davis showed us how his time devoted to these animals plays a large part in the Zoo’s conservation efforts. Mr. Davis has an established relationship with each of the animals we visited, and they seemed to recognize his voice and keys as we approached. As part of caring for the elephants, kiwis, and camels (the EKC) at the Zoo, Mr. Davis’ day begins at six o’clock every morning. This early rising time allows him to tend to each of his animals daily, ensuring their healthy appearance and all around well being. I was fascinated to find that the majority of the EKC animals receive special enrichment daily. By scattering treats throughout enclosures, the animals are challenged to find the hidden objects, and as a reward, are able to eat them. Along with keeping the animals alert and happy, enrichment sessions promote the animals’ conservation. When the animals are up and moving, visitors of the Zoo will spend more time at an exhibit. Taking an interest in a specific animal helps people to feel more connected and encourages them to become involved in the preservation of that species.
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The Winter 2005 session of Zoo InternQuest is underway, and the interns are beginning their training for the program. Their experiences will be the subject of a Weblog on this site, where you will be able to post comments and ask questions. The interns will visit two Zoo professionals each week. See the Zoo InternQuest site for a schedule and more information about the program.