The Best of Both Worlds
Posted at 11:32 am September 15, 2009 by Rick Schwartz
Rick and Rio meet some Zoo visitors.
Of course, the job of Elephant Odyssey Ambassador has been an amazing adventure and very enjoyable, too. It has kept me very busy, as you may remember from my previous posts. But not so busy that I could not stop in at the Children’s Zoo to work a little with the animals, from the high-energy fossa named Isa to the laid-back binturong named Bandar or even the silly and vocal Amazon parrot Rio. There are so many different animals, I couldn’t possibly name them all here, if for no other reason that there’s just not enough room in this post!
Now that Elephant Odyssey is open at the Zoo, I am doing less traveling around the country to tell people about the new exhibit. However, I am giving talks and more tours of the exhibit to show people this amazing experience at the Zoo. Although giving tours and talks keeps me busy, I am also finding I have more time to spend in the Children’s Zoo!
The last few weeks I have been able to balance my time pretty well between both jobs, working as a keeper and as an ambassador. You might think both jobs are quite different, and in many ways they are; however, in some ways they are alike. For example, both jobs allow me the opportunity to share my passion for wildlife and conservation to anyone and everyone I cross paths with!
If by chance you happen to find yourself over in the Children’s Zoo, feel free to say “hello.” Of course, the same goes for when you see me over at Elephant Odyssey: if I am giving a tour, doing an interview, or just walking through, make sure you say “hello.”
Rick Schwartz is a senior keeper and the Elephant Odyssey Ambassador for the San Diego Zoo.
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September 15th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Rick, I am sure you know how many of us are envious of your life at SDZ. For you I am certain it is a dream come true to do what you love, and to be able to share that passion for wildlife conservation with so many people and to educate them on how they can help.
Enjoy your jobs, and continue to share and feed your passion for the animals. It will make this planet a better place for all of us as you do.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:42 am
Rick, you are so lucky. If you are still at the Childrens Zoo next year I will come and see you. How is the mouse house doing? I could watch that for hours.
Moderator’s note: The Mouse House (made of bread) is still there!
September 16th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I am not sure which blog to put this on, but this I think is as appropriate as any. A while back a keeper wrote a fascinating article about the Two toed sloth. I had seen one up high in a nesting box at NZP in an indoor exhibit with the Golden Lion Tamarins, but never up close like the one with the keeper in the article.
Well, that night I decided to check in on the Lion Tamarin camera, and low and behold there was one of the Sloths on the ground and climbing back up to their nest box. I found it most interesting that they only go down to the ground once every 7 days to eliminate waste, so as to avoid predators. Tonight I decided to check in again, and this time I lucked out and saw the Sloth slowly climb down the vines from its nest box to the floor. Without seeing the SDZ keeper blog about this most unusual animal, I wouldn’t know anything about it. That is one of the most special things for me about all the blogs, the education I get is priceless.
Thanks to moderator, keepers, and other writers who take the time to educate us “lay” people about all the wonderful animals at the SDZ and WAP, and about their uniqueness. Armed with this information we can educate others, do more to conserve our planet, and make this earth a better habitation for man, animals, and plants.
Moderator’s note: Thanks, Margaret. We’ll pass along your compliments to the author of the sloth post. Readers may view it at http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/01/19/two-toed-sloth-training/
September 17th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Margaret (#3), you lucky girl! You managed to see a sloth on the National Zoo’s GLT cam??? You must have some great timing! I have been on the GLT cam numerous times over the years, and I have not seen that sloth on the floor yet! I’ve seen a couple of acouchis roaming around on the exhibit floor a few times, and I have read that there are a couple of armadillos in there, also, but haven’t seen them yet. I always do see the GLTs alot! They are fun to watch on the cam when they chase each other around the exhibit on those branches and big vines.
Now, back to the ellies. Been reading that Tina and Jewel are doing very well in their new home at EO. Just watched the ellie cam and saw some of the younger ellies having some pool time in that big pool at WAP.
Well, gonna go for now. Rick, keep up the great work that you are doing and have fun at the Children’s Zoo!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 20th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
hi rick, as always your posts are always interesting and informative. AND, I’ve read alot of your posts over the last few months. glad to hear about what you are doing now! anymore research trips planned? I am wondering if we should call you elephant man!!!! OR, MR. ZOO !!! you do so many different and interesting things that you will never have time to get bored! the children’s zoo must seem a little tame for you now doesn’t it? maybe a little more laid back & relaxing? or am I full of it and ill informed? tell me tell me! any way, I am glad that you don’t forget us out here in cyber land! we appreciate it Rick.