To Atlanta I go (again)!

This week was my first week back in Atlanta, this time at the Zoo! I will be working as a hoofstock intern with 3 black rhinos, 4 giraffe, 2 lesser kudu, 2 plains zebra, 3 eastern bongo, 2 yellow-backed duikers, and 2 ostrich.

Since it was my first week they decided to train me in the larger barn first, meaning I haven't worked with the rhinos directly yet (though I did get to say hi a few times!). The daily routine in the larger barn is pretty standard from what I've seen in other facilities. The morning starts off with a live check and feeding out morning grain. Then the outdoor exhibits are cleaned and the food that is to be on exhibit that day is put out. Once that is done, weather permitting, the animals are sent out onto exhibit and the indoor holding is cleaned and prepped for the night. If weather does not permit (as it hasn't the last week, temperatures in the 30s! brrrr) then the animals are shifted among the holding stalls while we clean. Once the cleaning is done dishes need to be washed. By the time that is all done its around lunch. After lunch afternoon diets are prepared and set up in the stalls. If there is time after that extra tasks and training sessions are done.

That paragraph gives you a general gist of what is typical for every day life in the big barn. However, I want to let you guys in on some of the exciting things I have gotten to do so far (though they may be standard, they are new to me and therefore exciting!).

First of all, I got to feed the giraffe! While all this means is shove hay into their feeders, it is more exciting than it sounds (at least on a cold day when they are stuck inside). While I'm filling the feeders, the nosey boys were putting their faces right up next to mine trying to snatch the hay out of my hands. It is quite the experience to be on top of a giant ladder and only then being at eye level with such a majestic creature.

I also got to help weigh the kudu and duikers. This means I would tempt one of them onto the scale by feeding them carrots and petting their faces, giving them all the attention they want, while the keeper is watching the scale and recording their weight. This was fun and easy for all of them except one of the kudu, Sherlock, as he doesn't particularly like being near people. However, he loves to be near his brother, Watson, so we just got Watson to hang out with us which brought the curious Sherlock over to the scale.

All in all, this internship is proving to be another awesome experience, I'll update you with more fun things as they happen, as well as pictures once I get around to taking some!