Training the Next Generation of Keepers
Using Technology to Track Births
Animals Cont .
Training the Next Generation of Keepers
Guests always tell us how lucky we are to have careers taking care of the animals that call Brevard Zoo home , and we wholeheartedly agree — our jobs are pretty great ! However , many people don ’ t realize just how tricky it is to land a zookeeping job .
Most of our animal care staff have degrees in biology , zoology or animal science , but education alone isn ’ t always enough to secure a paid job in this competitive field . During ( and often after ) their college years , prospective keepers may intern or volunteer at several facilities to gain experience .
We ’ re dedicated to developing the next generation of keepers through a robust , rapidly growing internship program . Our interns work 40 hours a week , assisting keepers with feeding , cleaning , enrichment , landscaping and other animal care duties . Each intern is assigned a mentor and follows a curriculum that delves into the fundamentals of zookeeping , culminating in a project related to the species with which they are working .
This year , we took things a step further by introducing the apprentice keeper program . This paid , year-long opportunity is designed for those with a bit more experience under their belt than interns but still need to get their foot in the door . Apprentice keepers work with some animals more directly
Interns and apprentice keepers are an important part of our Zoo family , and many of them are now full-time employees !
Using Technology to Track Births
The Zoo ’ s animal wellness program includes recently installed camera systems in a variety of areas , including the giraffe barn . This allows us to monitor behavior remotely or without human interference and make observations without disturbing individuals and the herd . The timing of this was important since one of the female giraffe , Milenna , was due to give birth . On St . Patrick ’ s Day , we watched the birth of a 150-pound , six-foot-tall calf . The cameras allowed keepers and managers to watch the birth and monitor maternal care in the following days , thus allowing Milenna and her calf privacy while bonding . The cameras were used again to observe interactions while integrating the calf into the herd . Both mom and baby , which is named Sprinkle , are doing well and can be seen out on exhibit daily .
Another way in which we monitor impending births is by conducting ultrasounds . This was the case for Belle , one of our Southern stingrays . We were able to get monthly ultrasounds to determine she was pregnant with pups and that they appeared healthy . On May 15 , we welcomed two pups and granted long time aquarist Nicole the honor of naming the pups . She chose Dallas and Clementine . The pups are currently housed in a nursery pen inside the aquarium . Dallas and Clementine are the first pups born here at the Zoo and are growing normally and eating well . Their favorite food item is krill . The Zoo ’ s stingrays are fed every day in the Paws On area aquarium at 10:30 a . m . and 3:30 p . m . Stop by to meet our growing family of rays !
Globally , shark and ray species are threatened with extinction largely due to overfishing ( targeted and bycatch ) and other unsustainable practices . Between 2010-2014 , the Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( AZA ) and other accredited zoos and aquariums spent more than $ 2.1 million on shark and ray field conservation . Despite the tremendous efforts AZA members and partners have committed toward saving sharks and rays , these species are still declining at an alarming rate . The AZA SAFE program is promoting a collaborative new approach to their conservation . Called One Plan , the approach is for conservationists to work together to identify and prioritize the conservation needs of a species and then develop a threeyear Conservation Action Plan . Each AZA SAFE Conservation Action Plan includes specific projects , goals and actions that will address the needs of each species .
12