The internship at Cameron Park Zoo was an amazing opportunity. It was an absolute privilege to assist at the zoo and learn firsthand from experienced professionals. Every day, I learned something new from those around me. I always felt fulfilled and excited to be around...
The last rotation of my internship was in the mammals department. The department consists of three sections: hoofstock, native carnivores, primates, and large cats. This was the department I had been looking forward to because one of my favorite animals is the orangutan. I started...
The aquatics department conducts weekly maintenance on both freshwater and saltwater tanks to ensure a healthy environment. Regular maintenance includes cleaning the acrylic, scrubbing walls, gravel vacuuming, performing water changes, and conducting backwashes. Backwashes help maintain water quality by removing waste, and water changes remove...
The Avian and Small Mammal Department is divided into four sections: Penguins and Black-footed Cats, South America, Brazos at Night (BAN), and Loop. I spent two days in each section learning about the animals' care, husbandry, and handling. Flippers and Claws The penguins and black-footed cat were...
Duties of Zoo Keepers The role of a zookeeper consists of more responsibilities than the general public assumes. These past couple of weeks, observing the zookeepers in the herpetology department revealed how demanding the role can be. They need information on the animals' diets, environments, behaviors,...
Experiencing the Cameron Park Zoo Cameron Park Zoo is 52 acres located in Waco, Texas. It was originally known as the Central Texas Zoological Park until it relocated to Cameron Park next to the Brazos River in 1993. Cameron Park Zoo is best known for its...
Hello, I'm Charlotte Ramirez, and I am from Santa Cruz County, California. I grew up in Santa Cruz County, known for its coast and agriculture. I spent most of my childhood around the chickens my grandparents raised and my dogs. I lived in Texas for...