Natural Encounters Keeper Amelia with our finally identified Lady Raven.
No longer will we need to sit engaged in guessing, with multiple syllables expressing the gender of Raven. We got the lab tests results and SHE will grow into a beautiful Lady as she gets older. Now comes the fun part, choosing her name! We’d love to hear suggestions from the audience!
Spring is typically thought of as a time for baby animals and flowers, but not for the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo! This year, our babies are arriving right in the middle of summer, and they definitely don’t smell like flowers! We have two adorable Guinea Hog piglets that arrived at the zoo in July, soon to make their debut on exhibit in the Children’s Zoo. Now, adorable may not be a word that you typically use to describe pigs, but how can you describe these faces as anything else?
You will be able to see this adorable face up close soon in the John P. McGovern Children's Zoo!
These girls may be small now, weighing about 25 lbs, but in a few years they will be about 150 lbs! That may seem very large, but Guinea Hogs are actually one of the smaller breeds of pigs. Guinea Hogs originated from West Africa and have been crossbred to create their unique breed, found only in North America, making them a true American Heritage Breed. You won’t find this breed in the wild, they are only bred and kept on farms and ranches. Guinea Hogs are omnivores, spending their days foraging for grasses, roots, nuts and the occasional small mammal or snake. Once one of the most commonly kept pigs, there are now fewer than 200 remaining making them a critically rare, or a minor breed. Similar to a wild animal being classified as threatened or endangered, the term minor breed is used to describe nearly 100 breeds of livestock in North America that are declining. Many of these breeds, like the Guinea Hog, were once kept widely and played a major role in the development in North American agriculture. Over time, these breeds have been replaced by specialized breeds to meet the increasing production demand. Guinea Hogs have a very sweet and docile disposition, and are extremely receptive to attention and training from keepers. Our new additions have been receiving regular training from the time that they arrived. Being very intelligent, Guinea Hogs are able to learn new behaviors quickly, already mastering target and station, seen below. This consistent training is not only important as enrichment, but is also helpful for veterinary check ups, lessening the stress to the animal and staff.
Target is commonly one of the first behaviors any animal learns. Here, one of our girls targets to trainer Russell's hand. She must touch her snout, or gruntle, to his open palm to receive a reward.
Our girls will be venturing out onto exhibit in the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo very soon. Check back to see how much they enjoy their new home, exciting enrichment, and learning fun new behaviors, and be sure to visit them soon at the Houston Zoo!
Visit the American Guinea Hog Association to learn more about Guinea Hogs.
To learn more about American Heritage Breeds visit the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Well, (stately raven of the saintly days of yore) doesn’t exactly apply to our kid quite yet. While (s)he is getting much better at balancing and is developing flight muscles, it’s still a bit of a toss up if the intended landing target will be hit or not, and sometimes watching Raven getting from one side of the enclosure to the other can be quite entertaining for the staff! Still a bit of a clumsy juvenile.
We are all getting very excited about the end of quarantine. August 1st is the official day and then we can take her/him to Natural Encounters. We also sent in a few feathers this week to a lab that will run a DNA test and give us the answer to our Lord vs Lady question. I will be happy to stop using either/or gender references and we can hardly wait for the results so we can choose a name! Any bets on whether it be Lord or Lady? What name should we choose?
In the mean time, here are some pictures from our play session today. Raven is very curious about my iPhone. Both of these shots clearly show the blue/gray color of a juvenile raven’s eyes. They will turn brown as Raven matures this year.
Raven checks out my iPhone.
My pretty gray eyes will be brown when I grow up.
Hometown: Houston, TX
Department/Title: Manager of Special Events
How long have you worked at the Houston Zoo?: 15 months
How long have you been in the your field?: 6 years
Favorite animal: Big cats – especially Lions
Quote: “Two Roads diverged in the wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by.”
Robert Frost – A Road Not Traveled
Special interests/hobbies: Traveling – I’ve been fortunate enough to have already visited over 20 countries, working out, being outdoors, hiking, canoeing. My family is Italian, so I lived in Rome for part of my childhood and again after I graduated from college.
What made you want to work at a zoo?: I wanted to work for a non-profit organization instead of a large corporation. The zoo offers a great opportunity for people in my field because there aren’t a lot of positions specifically geared to planning a variety of special events.
Education/training: B.A. in Organizational communication and media studies from the University of the Pacific with a minor in philosophy.
Previous related jobs: I worked for the Museum of Fine Arts for several years then went abroad to Rome to work as a special events coordinator for a large events company. I am fluent in Italian and can understand French and some Spanish.
Advice to anyone wanting to enter the your field: Be organized, a quick thinker, and good under pressure. Think outside the box and think ahead for potential mishaps and resolutions. You want to be able to turn a bad situation into a positive one!
Something you want people to know about yourself or your position at the zoo: Please don’t kill the messenger! Our department is just a middle man for either external clients or other zoo departments. We are here to make everyone happy and that sometimes means asking for things even if we know the deadline has passed. We feel as though it never hurts to ask, the worst that can happen is someone says no. We do lots of different types of events, from internal events to fundraisers, 5k walks, corporate receptions, weddings, birthdays and many other events. We coordinate events like Zooball, Zoobilee, Enrichment Day, Conservation Day, and many more! If someone requires a table or chairs, we’re involved. Just remember we are always here for you!
There are numerous career paths to choose from at the Houston Zoo! To learn more about non-keeper careers, visit Leigh’s blog or the Houston Zoo’s Career page!
Hometown: Midland, TX
Department/Title: Special Events
How long have you worked at the Houston Zoo?: 1 year
Favorite animal: I love them all, but enjoy the Meerkats. They are the animals I see most often since they are next to several special events venues. They never fail to put a smile on my face.
Quote: “Find life experiences and swallow them whole. Travel. Meet many people. Go down some dead ends and explore dark alleys. Try everything. Exhaust yourself in the glorious pursuit of life.” -Lawrence K. Fish
Special interests/Hobbies: Working out, being outside, traveling, reading about WWII strategies and events.
Education/Training: B.S. from Texas A & M in Political Science and History
Advice to anyone wanting to enter the your field: Be a good communicator, proactive, and know how to multi-task! This job involves meeting and talking to a lot of people with various backgrounds, so it helps to be a people person and easily approachable. Be prepared for crazy hours and cautious not to step on toes.
Favorite Events- so far:
Gainer Donnelly and Desroches Event – This was a very rewarding event because it was a lot of hard work and the zoo just looked magnificent.
Flock Events – They are just full of great people with lots of energy and a ton of fun
Bar mitzvah Event – There was one in particular that I got to know the people very well. It was great to see their dream realized. 
Something you want people to know about yourself or your position at the zoo: We have done around 200 events so far this year and estimate doing about 400 total. About 75% of our job is working with clients. Most of our requests are on behalf of others. What that means is that it’s our job to ask. We are here to make sure everyone is happy and things go as smoothly as possible. Remember that we are happy to help and are always here for you!
See all of our venue options or contact the Zoo’s Events department at 713.533.6833, for details of Zoo rentals and programs.
There are numerous career paths to choose from at the Houston Zoo! To learn more about non-keeper careers, visit Leigh’s blog or the Houston Zoo’s Career page!
Raven has settled in nicely after the long flight from Alaska and has certainly beguiled us all into smiling in short order! The 30 day quarantine period is always difficult for keepers who are eagerly awaiting their new charges. The clinic keepers are primarily responsible for the care of the animals during this quarantine time, but because Raven requires a great deal of handling, the Natural Encounters staff has been visiting at the end of their shifts to offer some more hands on time. As you can see, Raven is happy to see just about anyone that will offer food, and has quickly learned to step up onto our hands for a treat or a scratch.
Natural Encounters Keeper Kamryn offering a very vocal Raven a get-to-know-you scratch
Natural Encounters Supervisor, PJ....clearly beguiled!
Favorite Animal:
Turtles and tortoises, I have about 30 at my house. One of my favorites was named Tank, a Sulcata tortoise. Someone had found him at the Galena Park dump and we brought him home.
How long have you worked at the Houston Zoo?
I have been here 26 years! I worked as a docent volunteer before I became a keeper. When I was hired on, I worked in animal departments for 5 years including the Reptile building, Hoofstock, Primates and the Small Mammal building (now Natural Encounters). I worked on the Houston Toad Project when it was first established in the early 1980’s. I have now worked in the commissary 21 years.
Phyllis loads grain in one of the zoo's expansive walk in freezers.
What made you want to become a zookeeper?
As a child I had an interest in anything having to do with animals and I was always picking up strays. After working as a keeper for awhile, I moved on to the commissary and really got to see the business side of the zoo.
How would you describe your job duties?
I am in charge of the staff that prepares food for the animals. I order food for all the animals from our vendors and also have to drive to various places to pick up special food items. I also manage the diet changes for the animals to make sure we have enough food in stock.
What is a typical day like working in the commissary?
Each day is different. The animals eat different things every day, so the diet preparation changes every day.
What is your education, training, and previous institution(s) you attended before coming to the Houston Zoo?
I have a 2 year certification from Houston Community College’s Veterinary Technician program.
What sort of advice would you give to anyone wanting to enter the zoo field?
Start as a volunteer, even as a teenager. I have hired a lot of former volunteers.
What is your favorite animal story?
When the zoo used to have koalas our supplier for eucalyptus was in Phoenix, Arizona. Usually the eucalyptus was flown to the zoo. Soon after September 11, 2001 all flights were grounded, but the koalas needed their eucalyptus! Our supplier was kind enough to meet us halfway, so I drove to El Paso, TX to pick it up! That was the longest drive I have had to take to pick up food for our animals.
To learn more about volunteering at the Houston Zoo visit http://www.houstonzoo.org/volunteer/!
There are numerous career paths to choose from at the Houston Zoo! To learn more about non-keeper careers, visit Leigh’s blog or the Houston Zoo’s Career page!
It is easy to see that this office belongs to a primate keeper! Judy is surrounded by orangutan paintings in her office.
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Section: Primates- Chimpanzee Supervisor
Quote: “Never believe anything you read.”
Special Interests/ Hobbies:
Horseback riding and reading.
Interesting Facts:
I’ve know nearly 200 chimps during my career and lived in 6 different states in 4 different time zones.
What made you want to become a zookeeper?
I spent summers with my aunt, uncle and cousins, and they took us to the Sealife park in Galveston when I was 13 years old. I used to want to be a dolphin trainer, but then I saw my first chimp and it was all over.
What is your education, training, and previous institution(s) you attended before coming to the Houston Zoo?
I started volunteering at the Santa Barbara Zoo in 1988. I attended Moorpark College for Exotic Animal Training and Management, graduating in 1991. I have worked at the Primate Foundation of Arizona and the Riverside Zoo in Nebraska caring for chimpanzees. I also worked at Disney with primates and elephants, and in Bastrop, Texas at MD Anderson caring for their chimpanzees. I have been here at the Houston Zoo since this April.
What sort of advice would you give to anyone wanting to enter the zoo field?
Be prepared to do anything. Volunteer and be patient. Don’t expect to get your dream job right away. You might have to work with animals that aren’t on the top of your list before you can work with animals that are your first choice.
What is your favorite animal story?
My favorite chimp I ever worked with was named Pani. Pani was 36 years old and had never had a baby of her own, although she had been an “auntie” a few times and really liked babies and young chimps. Riverside Zoo (where I was working at the time) took in an orphaned infant chimp from Sedgewick County Zoo named Imara. We introduced Imara to Pani and Pani was unbelievably patient and kind and soon won over Imara (he had been scared of her at first) and she became his mother for the next 6 years.
To see the latest update on the Chimp building construction, visit the Official Houston Zoo Blog.
To learn more about Chimpanzees visit http://www.houstonzoo.org/chimpanzee/
Jenn shows off Miles, a Texas Tortoise, who is a resident animal at the ClinicHometown: Corpus Christi, TXSection: Clinic- Clinic KeeperSpecial Interests/ Hobbies:Anything outdoors, 4-wheeling in Goliad, TX and fishing.Interesting Fact:I have an identical twin sister.What made you want to become a zookeeper?I've always loved animals . I originally started volunteering in elephants and then was hired as a keeper there. I then transferred to the clinic so I could work with a greater variety of animals.How would you describe your job duties?As clinic keepers we are mainly in charge of daily husbandry. That means we clean, feed, medicate, and observe clinic “patients”. We also assist vets with treatments of the animals.We also maintain quarantine, and its animals. Zoo quarantine is not for sick animals, it is used to keep all incoming animals separate from the zoo collection until thoroughly examined and free of illnesses.Jenn assists the Zoo's Vets and Vet Techs with many procedures. Here she secures a dove while Vet Tech Ryanne tube feeds him.
What is a typical day like working in the clinic?
Every day is different, you never know what it will hold.
What is your education, training, and previous institution(s) you attended before coming to the Houston Zoo?
I have a one year certification from HCC as a veterinary paramedic.
What sort of advice would you give to anyone wanting to enter the zoo field?
Start volunteering and stick with it. It is a great way to get the experience zoos require and you have a greater chance of getting hired on when you have been a volunteer.
What is your favorite animal story?
My great-grandparents had a ranch in Goliad, TX where I spent a lot of time as a child. When I was about 10 I tried to get the goats and cows to like me and to approach me willingly. Finally, 2 bulls approached me and I was able to hand-feed them. All the time afterwards that they lived on my great-grandparent’s ranch, I could walk up to the fence and call them over and they would come running to me. That was my first big animal experience.
People often ask where we get our animals – do we buy them, catch them in the wild, go to the Amazon.com of the zoo world? Virtually all the animals you see in zoos today were born in captivity. Many species including chimpanzees, are managed by programs called Species Survival Plans or SSPs. An SSP is a cooperative management program – this means all the accredited zoos that hold this species agree to work together for what is best for the population. So when it was time to start looking for chimpanzees for our new exhibit, my first call was to the Chimpanzee SSP.
Good luck and good timing were working in our favor – the SSP had recently learned of a group of chimpanzees available for placement. Last summer, Zoo Director Rick Barongi and I visited the facility and found the 10 animals that would become the chimpanzees of African Forest. Now, after nearly a year of planning, we are only weeks away from their arrival.
Last week I traveled to Chicago, one of my favorite cities, to attend the Chimpanzee SSP meeting at the Lincoln Park Zoo. We spent 2 days finalizing not only the Houston Zoo’s plans, but making recommendations for every chimp in AZA accredited zoos – moving animals around if needed, making decisions about breeding, and providing advice on animal management and exhibit design. We also got updates on the latest veterinary treatments, research projects, and the status of chimpanzees in the wild. And we got to stop and see the Lincoln Park Zoo chimps have some fun fishing in their termite mound. As is typical for an SSP meeting, it was productive and exhausting!
Now its back to work here at the zoo, there’s lots to do – chimps arrive in less than a month!
artist's rendering of the chimpanzee exhibit
