My first week working in the mammal department was definitely memorable. A Texas freeze tried to slow things down, but honestly, it didn’t stop me from enjoying every second of this experience. I got the chance to rotate through several mammal areas, and each one brought something new and exciting to learn.

I started in Mammals 3, which houses some of the zoo’s larger and more well-known animals, like the big cats, otters, and bears. On my very first day, I got to help feed Mogli the bear, which was such an amazing way to start the week. I quickly learned that Mogli is extremely vocal, social, and incredibly smart. I also got to watch one of his training sessions where he practiced opening his mouth, standing up, and offering his paw. These behaviors aren’t just cool tricks; they’re actually very important because they help keepers and veterinarians safely perform health checks and exams.

I also got to observe training sessions with the otters. They are currently working on injection training, paw targeting, and opening their mouths on cue. Watching how responsive and intelligent they are was fascinating. It really showed me how much trust and consistency go into animal training.

Next, I rotated into Mammals 2, which includes animals like kangaroos, wallabies, rhinos, and giraffes. In this section, I learned how keepers prepare habitats before animals are allowed outside and how much daily cleaning is required to maintain each barn. Because of the colder weather, it was especially important that when the animals went out into their habitats, they could return to a clean, safe, and warm indoor space. There was definitely a lot of cleaning involved, but it showed me how important husbandry work is for animal health and comfort.

One of my favorite moments in this area was working with Dane the giraffe. Dane has been trained to paint on a canvas, which is both an enrichment and a really fun activity to watch. During the activity, paint is placed on his chin, and when he is asked to paint, he swipes his head across the canvas to create artwork. It was such a unique and fun experience to witness.

My final rotation was spent working with primates, lions, and tigers. I started with the lions, where I helped place

enrichment items into their habitat. One enrichment activity we prepared was a scent trail made with fish juice, placed around the yard to encourage them to follow the scent and explore their environment. I also got to observe lion training sessions where they practiced offering their paw, opening their mouth, and lying down on command. Seeing their intelligence and size up close was incredible. They were even bigger and more impressive than I expected.

While working in the primate area, I got to meet the orangutans, including the newest baby, which was an unforgettable experience. I learned about the shifting process and the safety precautions that are taken to protect both animals and keepers. I also spent time around the lemurs and gibbons. They are extremely cute and energetic animals. In their areas, I helped clean the barns and watched keepers prepare enrichment activities. Some of their enrichment included hiding food for them to dig for and changing their environment by adding items like wrapping paper to encourage exploration and natural behaviors.

Overall, I wish I had more time in the mammal department because there was still so much left to learn. Even though the freeze cut some opportunities short, I am extremely grateful for everything I experienced. This week gave me a deeper appreciation for the work, care, and dedication that go into caring for these incredible animals.