At the beginning of the summer I was somewhat worried about getting an internship.  I wanted to do something related to my Biology with specialization in Ecology and Conservation degree, and I hadn't at that point added my Science Education degree.  I had decided early on in the year that I wanted to stay in New York for the summer since I spent 6 weeks in China and then 2 more weeks in Florida.  Most of the internships I applied to were in the city.  Fortunately, God had different plans resulting in me not getting the internships I had wanted. 

Then I got an e-mail with the volunteer coordinator at Franklin Park Zoo in regards to a volunteer application I had sent earlier in the year.  I went to the zoo and following a really good interview, she said I would be able to volunteer during the year.  I mentioned that I might not be able to commit time to the zoo during the year due my class schedule.  She said that I could try applying for the summer internship and she could put in a good word for me.  I told my parents and then I sent in my application.  I had seen the internship on the Zoo New England website, but I had planned to do it during the summer after my junior year (I'm glad I didn't wait ). 

A couple weeks later, the internship coordinator e-mailed me saying that we would have a phone interview to see if I was if I would be a possible candidate.  She called and the interview went pretty well.  She said that I was going to be an intern at Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester and I would be working at Children's Zoo due to my lack of animal experience.  The coordinator was really interested in my Science Education major and how that would affect me as a possible Biology teacher.  I became an animal care intern for the summer.

Since keepers usually work 4 ten-hour shifts, interns were encouraged to follow a similar schedule.  Therefore, I worked Tuesday through Friday from 7 to 6.  I took the train from the Fenway T-stop on the D-line all the way to Andrew and then I took the 16 bus (about an hour commute).  The days were long along with TWIGS on Thursday night and Branch on Fridays, but waking up at 5:30 every morning was good experience. 

So now the exciting details ... what did I exactly do?  Well I was trained on two routines ... Pet Place and Herps (short for herpetology = the study of amphibians and reptiles).  At Children's Zoo there are two buildings, Pet Place and Litter Kritters.  I usually did one routine and sometimes I did both (not fun ).  In the morning, I would feed out and give all the animals their AM diets.  Then I would clean their corresponding cages ... giving them clean wood shavings, newspaper, water, hay etc.  This would take up most of my morning and the following lunch I would help the education department with transporting animals.  After that, I prepared diets for the next day (AM and PM).  I also did two Animal Encounters everyday which entailed visitors being able to pet and interact with animals that I brought out.  I blabbed about animals which is always bunches of fun.  I fed out PM diets in the late afternoon and then sweep and do dishes.  I had to medicate some animals as well (roundworm, ringworm, bite injuries etc.)  We also gave animals enrichment to allow for stimulation and entertainment.  Sometimes I had to man the farm .. ugh stupid sheep).  Once or twice a week the interns took classes on zoos and animal care.  I learned to shoot darts and even use a lasso!  I can also help you trim the hooves of sheep and goats if you need. 

While I did my routines, I also worked on a project that I was to present at the end of my internship.  I set up an exhibit in the Little Kritters Building.  It was terrarium design for Central/South American Frogs (more on that later).  I did my presentation last Friday which was hard to watch with area directors critiquing and pulling apart their interns projects.  Good thing my Assistant Curator is one of the nicest ladies on Earth.  My presentation went well and you should go to the Zoo to see my exhibit (its the middle terrarium).  We were presented with Emu eggs as an intern gift and with the experience of working at a zoo.  Ten weeks and 400 hours later, I am done ... off to Hawaii!!!

Here are two pics that were taken as part of the internship program.  I have some other pics that I'll probably post later!  Hawaii here I come!



Me and my girl Lana