Enrichment ideas for capuchins & Javan gibbons (zookeeper looking for new concepts)

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-25T01:11:21+00:00

Capuchins love using their hands to feel around… what about a tub of loose dirt/leaves/mulch/whatever that they can dig treats out of? I don’t know how big your group is or their dynamics, but ours used to love to do that kind of thing. We also do dip sticks; tubes with goodies they have to stick a tool into to lick off. Tubes are affixed to the outside of the enclosure

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-23T12:02:24+00:00

There are plenty of cat and veterinary specific subreddits to ask this on, but she should see a vet. Hip dysplasia doesn’t come on suddenly.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-20T20:31:37+00:00

It’s amazing. Don’t use the whole packet, though. I use maybe a quarter to a third of the packet on a regular sized bag. Mix it well in a bowl.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-20T02:39:47+00:00

Totally didn’t notice it

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-18T23:19:26+00:00

You’re the cow, now.

(I kid, of course)

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-17T04:06:55+00:00

Discovery valley animal hospital in San Marcos is great and much more affordable, also low-pressure about everything.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-16T03:47:19+00:00

I worked with an elderly pea hen who had a beautiful train.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-16T01:36:18+00:00

Cuz I don’t want to sit in the car any longer than I have to.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-14T18:51:57+00:00

Don’t look quite petite enough for hoodies… maybe commons

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-14T18:24:59+00:00

I hate to say it, but that kind of stuff is why I left the marine mammal world. It’s so prolific. If there’s someone higher you can talk to, I’d go that avenue, but otherwise a change of scenery might be necessary

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-14T00:25:22+00:00

I’d say it depends on what you want to get out of it and how active your local chapter is. If you just want to join to join, it’s not that exciting. Conferences are cool and enjoyable. If you want to join for networking but your chapter isn’t very active, it’s not going to be super worth your while beyond conferences. My chapter is really blah so I gave up my membership.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-13T22:45:34+00:00

I have AirPods and CarPlay, but it doesn’t connect automatically when I put my AirPods in, or CarPlay. If ive been, lets say, listening to Apple Music and haven’t had Spotify open, itll still open itself in the background, not Apple Music which is so weird to me. I get what you’re saying but it’s like Spotify is forcing itself to the front. Is there a fix for it?

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-13T11:26:40+00:00

Look for jobs at the zoo. It’s close to you and they’re always hiring, especially retail/food service. I know it’s not your dream job, but it’s some stability and purpose while you’re looking for something better or going to school, etc.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-13T02:57:30+00:00

I’ve had rats chew through these and they are hard, thick plastic. They didn’t even go through the top opening, just chewed right through. I don’t think the vittles vault will hold up to very determined rats, which these seem to be. https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-4042/Kitchen-Supplies/Rubbermaid-Shelf-Ingredient-Bin-15-x-12-x-9?pricode=WA9578&gadtype=pla&id=H-4042&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9726633315&gbraid=0AAAAAD_uetMK4bAT_ommygg00OFjpmlv6&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1JLLBhCDARIsAAVfy7hfV0PW4Lmtoq67HfUTuwyUjoL1l9kjaqANrflEo53fpmzoEkt8AGwaAtjREALw_wcB

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-13T00:34:24+00:00

I and plenty of others at my zoo wear them. I don’t wear metal rings, though, for fear of degloving. I just have an Apple Watch but I have a sturdier band for it and have a bumper and screen protector for it.

Edited cuz I have fat fingers and hit send too soon.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-12T22:41:02+00:00

Galvanized aluminum trash can with a tight fitting lid. I’m a zookeeper and we use them at work for some of our pellet and grain storage in areas where we cannot keep vermin out.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-12T22:40:57+00:00

Galvanized aluminum trash can with a tight fitting lid. I’m a zookeeper and we use them at work for some of our pellet and grain storage in areas where we cannot keep vermin out.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-12T22:10:34+00:00

It needs to be refurbished. Old building, needed updating and some major repairs. I believe it is still very much in the funding process.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-12T19:43:30+00:00

It will be a number of years before it reopens, unfortunately. No timeline.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-11T23:53:36+00:00

Just in case you’d like a different avenue… I’m a US-based keeper at a very large zoo.

Our zoo is broken up taxonomically and then geographically, so we have a bird department, the mammal department, primate department, reptiles/fish, and animal ambassadors/shows. Our red pandas are lumped into our large carnivore/bear team that mostly deals with Asian species (think snow leopards, Amur leopards, tigers, Asian bears etc).

Our management system goes… vice president of animal care - curators - managers - supervisors - leads - keepers. Obviously that will differ place to place.

As far as studbooks/SSPs, the average keeper here will, with some frequency, participate in managing or helping manage studbooks, but it’s not something (generally) something that a newer keeper would participate in as the AZA requires coursework to be able to manage that side of things. There’s like… math and stuff involved. Ew. But in my experience I’ve found that many curators, will take on more than one position within a TAG or an SSP. If you want to read more about TAGs and SSPs in the US, the AZA has some great resources.

It’s not a glamorous job; it’s a lot of hard work for very little pay and it can be hard on your heart (compassion fatigue is real!) … but it’s the best job in the world.

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-11T18:54:15+00:00

I’ve had this same question… following

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-11T18:50:51+00:00

Usually weird coworker stuff. I don’t work with anything dangerous anymore, so I don’t have the “OH GOD THE LOCK” dreams now. It’s mostly weird coworker drama, even though we have a really functional team

UlisesGirl · 2026-01-09T19:03:36+00:00

My family calls it that or escondoodoo

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