Sunday, June 2, 2013

Getting things going

Hey Everybody,

Living in Omaha for almost two weeks has really been quite the experience. I have learned so much more already. Coming from Platteville, I definitely feel like this prairie dog.
Omaha is a big city with lots of diversity. However, I am excited that there is just as much diversity with the animals I get to work with. As you can see, I am working hard at work! My first order of business is showing you guys my new ride to work every day and my new home since I finally got some time to take some pictures and be able to share. 
Just kidding, I walk to work every day. It is not that far. Also, do not worry. I have plenty of work to do while I am here. I just took the weekend off to see the jungle for myself. 


This week, I have done a lot of things. Usually the first thing I do to start my morning is to take a DO (dissolved oxygen) calculator and take records of all the different water areas around the jungle to make sure that they were in the 70-85% DO level.  It is critical to make sure for this type of habitat to not be out of range for the animals who strive here. They cannot tolerate anything less or above these levels. Another task I would usually do in the morning is make sure the displays are nice and clean from the outside. One of my favorite displays to visit while I do this is my pygmy tamarins. They remind me of little Einsteins. As adorable as these guys are, they will only be friends with me with a compensation of grapes. Luckily, this guy let me take his picture! :)

After I am done with my morning tasks, I have to clean out more displays and back holdings (where they stay when not in display). Within this week, I cleaned for three pygmy hippos, Mochel, Scooby, and their 3 month old Ralph's back holding and display. Below is a picture of Mochel and Ralph. Arn't they cute?! To me, they are more like over-sized dogs since they like to hang their tongue out, wag their tail and ears, and also  being curious about you. As Mochel and Ralph were keeping the crowds busy on display, Scooby was patient enough to withstand my singing in the back holdings while I was cleaning. 
We clean most of the back holdings and displays with bleach and soap. However, some animals make an exception. If we were to go and clean the howler monkey room, we have to use a special chemical once in a while since they are carriers of Hepatitis and we do not want that spreading throughout the jungle. For animals that are known to be scent trackers, it is not wise to use soap and bleach in their displays and back holdings. This would take away the scents they are familiar with and cause them to be distressed. We just take a strong hose head and power wash their area. Amphibians also do not use any chemicals and we have to use certain water so that they do not get sick since some of the animals are semi-permeable. 

Each day is fairly similar with the tasks that we have to perform. I would say that my day consists of 85% cleaning the animals' back holdings and display and 15% is miscellaneous between preparing diets, finding enrichment for them (either a new toy, new mulch, bubbles, scents, treats and so on) and miscellaneous tasks. Even though this a very strenuous labor and work, I find myself enjoying getting to know the animals' names, their personalities and their eagerness to see me every day. 

With only being here one for almost two weeks, I know I have learned so much already, but there is still much more to learn. Keep following me to see what else I am learning and fun events that happen here. Enjoy the pictures and videos below! Also, feel free to comment! All pictures  I post are taken from me or a friend that takes a picture of me. 
How I feel after a long day of work

Waterfall behind flower

Fork in the path


 Waterfall


 Deep in thought
This is Lucky 
 Howler


 Not my area for interning, but visited the Desert Dome




Ring Tailed Lemur
"Please, no pictures"