Fun at the zoo

Norfolk, VA

For two out of the four years, I worked on the zoo trails where a partner(s) and I would spend a couple of hours at one animal and then rotate to a new one. During this time we would greet guests and educate them about the animal and environment, usually with the help of an object they can look at and sometimes touch, such as skulls or fur.
During my third year, I dedicated my time to contributing to a community science product that used insects in the environment to learn about bird migration patterns. This was done by checking specific branches on specific trees every day to collect data on, what and how many insects we find, the herbivory on the leaves, the number of leaves, and the average length of the leaves. At the end of the day, the data was input into a database where it was compiled at the end of the summer. Using the data about which insects were where then researchers were able to compare it to bird's diets and migration patterns. Alongside this, I also got to learn about observing animals in their habitats. My partners and I would stay at one of the animals' enclosures and mark down where and what they were doing every five minutes, what behaviors or vocalizations they exhibited, and how they were interacting with enrichment and sometimes other animals in their space.
During my last year, and my favorite year out of the four, I got to work alongside the animal ambassadors and their handlers. I was certified to handle and speak about the turtles and tortoises at the zoo (7 species), African Giant Milliepede, and Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. My partner's and I's job was to learn everything about the animal from its habitat, adaptations, its impact on the environment, its diet, etc, but also specific facts such as the animal's name, age, and how long it has lived at the zoo. Along with remembering facts, I was also taught how to hold and display the animal in a way that was safe and calm while I taught a group of kids. When not teaching a group of kids we did various chores and busy work in the building where the animals were housed, shadowed the handlers, and learned how the zoo is run behind the scenes, as well as working on a project making enrichment for an animal of our choice. We decided to use a portable wagon that we customized to mimic the Three-banded Armadillo's habitat. We also created a pipe system that could be used to mimic rain as further enrichment. Because it was a wagon we were able to transport it throughout the zoo so guests could observe and learn.