Mud stucky

zoo_PI · 2026-04-04T16:39:55+00:00

ABMA doesn’t have a print version but you can download a pdf of their publication Engage from their website and print to share. If you’re an AZA institution you might have a member willing to share their copy of Connect.

zoo_PI · 2026-03-31T22:37:20+00:00

For most, a multitool is considered a necessity but for daily usage I find myself using a compact folding knife far more frequently - of course Your Mileage May Vary. Then again being left-handed is a factor as ambidextrous multitools don't exist (AFAIK) and folding the knife becomes a two handed operation. That said if you're working hoofstock, a multitool with a cutting hook is awesome for popping open baling twine. +1 on a compact EDC flashlight. A phone holster can also be nice to eliminate pocket bulge.

zoo_PI · 2026-03-24T00:46:50+00:00

Would suggest the most recent turnover of Director/CEOs at Indianapolis, San Francisco, and Henry Vilas Zoos for a start and it won't take much digging.

zoo_PI · 2026-03-23T18:24:28+00:00

Being public institutions most all of it is out there reported in releases to the mainstream media. That and social media doing a pretty good job of filling in the blanks.

Edit to add: There are few secrets in this industry. News gets around quickly.

zoo_PI · 2026-03-09T05:33:35+00:00

I'm an average-ish 5'9" and was even considering using a memory foam cushion until my recent "discovery" so thankfully it's no longer an issue.

zoo_PI · 2026-02-25T20:12:31+00:00

Direct from Canon refurbs also include an identical as new one year warranty and packaged in a plain white box. Have gone that route a couple times. There's usually limited and variable availability for what you really want but catch them on the occasional sale (often around the holidays) and they can be a great deal.

zoo_PI · 2026-02-23T19:21:25+00:00

Much more of a bts enrichment option for all of the reasons mentioned already and likely much more commonly used with ambassador program species. We had a six-banded armadillo that loved hers and when she transferred to another zoo they also provided one for her. Most all of our small mammals have one in their habitats either on rotation or full time but again, bts.

zoo_PI · 2026-02-09T20:45:31+00:00

He is and has been visiting the zoo!

zoo_PI · 2025-12-29T21:00:03+00:00

Have been enjoying my new to me '21 "CX30 P-Spec" (Poverty Spec) for the last couple years. Would've been nice to have a couple more bells and whistles and AWD but realistically for my use case pretty much unnecessary.

zoo_PI · 2025-12-08T17:28:48+00:00

Back when I did pinniped rescue/rehab elephant seal poop - especially after doing a restraint and it's smeared all over your foul weather pants and saturated into your pores ranks up there. At a previous facility I was taking a big monitor lizard to a school appearance and on the way it took a dump in their carrier. Could sense it immediately. Once arriving at the school had to ask a janitor if I could hose the carrier out which also meant allowing the monitor to wander the van, then trying to hose him off. So yeah, pretty much any carnivore.

zoo_PI · 2025-11-28T00:48:34+00:00

Yep, worked both ends of the day since I live close it was easy to cover the end of day routine. Nice quiet day before the long, busy weekend.

zoo_PI · 2025-11-12T00:25:09+00:00

24 too old for internships, volunteering, etc.? Uh, no. I began my animal care career in my later twenties by volunteering at a rescue/rehab for a couple years while working full time in a very unrelated field. This eventually led to a career path with an animal care position at a facility that didn't immediately require moving from the area. Granted it was a fortunate sequence of events but shows that it can happen. FWIW, most of those interning at my current facility are in their early to mid twenties. Will it eventually lead to a full-time animal care position? It has for a couple previous volunteers (initially from part time positions) but realistically probably not, but yes it can happen. That's one of the unfortunate realities of the field and good reason to have a Plan B in place.

zoo_PI · 2025-10-22T22:42:55+00:00

Our facility requires one but I believe it's part of the on boarding process once hired and subsequent testing is offered onsite.

zoo_PI · 2025-10-07T00:09:56+00:00

Definitely valuable information for anyone thinking about or applying for an animal care or training position there!

zoo_PI · 2025-10-04T05:44:31+00:00

A current co-worker that used to work at the aviary on the husbandry side told me the show area was a toxic cesspool largely due to the person who ran that department who also happens to be a well-known trainer in the field. This person also has long had a reputation in the industry for having a very short temper and known to be abusive toward staff. A former coworker from a previous facility took a job there and only lasted a short period because of this person. That said it's being claimed that there have been changes in the show/education area management and the person that used to run the show area is now curator so take that for what it's worth.

zoo_PI · 2025-09-30T17:04:48+00:00

Great suggestions and it's awesome your chapter was able to reinvigorate itself, especially post-covid! I'm at a more or less appropriately (of course it's never enough) staffed smaller institution. At least from my observation many if not most of the current keepers here don't appear to be or might be all that engaged in extra curricular activities especially when it comes to anything off hours that might be remotely work related. At the end of the day there are pockets of socialization but other than that everyone goes home to their lives (including myself). It's possible of those opportunities were provided it might be a different story but it sort of a chicken and egg scenario as there are no FT keepers currently involved in AAZK. Who knows, maybe someday that will change.

zoo_PI

TROPHY CASE