Caring for Creatures Big & Small

CARING FOR CREATURES

& SMALL

By Jenna Johnson / Photos by Ty Cornett

When Professor of Biology Dr. Todd Heldreth walks through the Animal Forest at Charles Towne Landing, he wears a smile and carries a bag of treats ready for his furry friends Memphis, Clark, and Darla. Outside of teaching full time in the classroom at Charleston Southern University, he puts on his proverbial veterinarian hat each week to care for wildlife at the popular state historic site— known as the birthplace of South Carolina—within its natural habitat zoo.

Dr. Todd Heldreth

Clark, the elk, was brought to the Animal Forest from the upstate because of his wandering into suburban neighborhoods in the Southeast. Though friendly, he was becoming a large nuisance and danger. He was accurately named Clark after the American explorer.

River otters are playful and cute, but Heldreth warns they are not pet material. A playful nibble can draw blood.

eldreth knows each animal by name, their unique personalities, and sometimes begs for their forgiveness for the last time he had to give them necessary treatment such as a vaccine, surgery, or beak clipping.

“They remember and can hold a grudge,” he stated, acknowledging that some harbor ill feelings longer than others. Others are easily appeased with treats.

Though Heldreth doesn’t claim favorites, there are some that steal his heart more than others—like Memphis. This large black bear shows off his fun personality when Heldreth stops by for a visit. In true bear fashion, he seeks those special treats from the human who ensures the bear’s health is on the right track. Then there’s Clark, the majestic elk, who happily trots over to the fence to greet Heldreth seeking a nibble of an apple and a nose rub.

One can almost forget that these creatures were once wild. But due to injury, ailments, and unique situations, they will spend the remainder of their life in the Animal Forest, being cared for in the best possible way by zookeepers and vets. The fences (and Heldreth) serve as a reminder that the beasts (black bear, elk, bison, puma, red fox, etc.) are still, in fact, beasts. And that proper handling and processes are followed for their safety and the safety of the humans who care for them.

However, some of the Animal Forest’s inhabitants—the white-tailed deer, opossum, goats, pigs, tortoises, otters, and various sea birds—allow some closer handling without the need for tranquilizers or protected vehicles. In fact, Darla—one of the deer on site—gives kisses to her favorite vet. And Madame quite literally hogs the show, oinking away when a human approaches and vacuuming up any treats before other farm animals have a chance at it.

JOURNEY TO THE FOREST

Prior to Charleston Southern and the Animal Forest, Heldreth treated, diagnosed, and performed surgeries on countless furry patients in private practice for 18 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in biology from Emory and Henry College in 1984 before going on to Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine where he received his PhD in veterinary medicine.

Serving as a vet was a rewarding experience, but he sought a change of pace. He left private practice to begin teaching biology at CSU in 2006. Heldreth teaches courses in zoology, mammalogy, and parasitology, as well as anatomy and physiology sections for prenursing students.

Many of his students want to go into animal-related fields. And, thanks to the natural bridge in Heldreth’s relationship with the local zoo, they get that opportunity. Each year, as many as 20 students in CSU’s biology program intern or volunteer at Charles Towne Landing’s Animal Forest.

“Even if they don’t stay here long, it looks good on their resumes and it’s also just good animal experience,” Heldreth added. Some of those students have been hired on at the Animal Forest.

In fact, the top dog at the Forest happens to be a CSU alumnus.

Jillian Davis ’09 began volunteering in Charles Towne Landing’s education department at age 15. She discovered her passion at a young age, went on to get her degree from Charleston Southern, and developed her potential by interning and volunteering at the Animal Forest. She never left. Now Davis serves as the head zookeeper aka the Animal Forest curator.

“I’ve basically lived here my entire life, but I love it—it’s a testament to how great it is here,” Davis said of her work home at the Landing.

A 2009 alumnus, Jillian Davis now serves as the Animal Forest curator.

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Watch Dr. Heldreth and alumna Jillian Davis talk about their work at Charles Towne Landing’s Animal Forest at bit.ly/csuanimals.

Check out the Pig-Casso Program, where the resident guinea hog, Madame, reveals her artistic side. Charles Towne Landing also off ers a free Read to the Hog literacy program for children. For any animal encounter program, be sure to check for times and dates of availability. Many programs were temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 to protect the animals, as many are susceptible to the virus.

Charles Towne Landing park grounds are open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. The Animal Forest is open 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily. Closed Christmas Day. Admission is $12/adult; $7.50/senior; $7/youth ages 6-15; free for children 5 and younger.

DESIGNING A CAREER PATH

Like Davis, fellow CSU wildlife biology alumni have experience working in a variety of areas such as the Department of Natural Resources, labs, and zoos—or even Boeing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 17% in the next decade— which is much faster than the average for all occupations. With a combination of workers retiring or leaving the fi eld as well as increases in consumer pet-related spending, vets will continue to be in high demand outpacing the 12% increase for other healthcare practitioners.

A prospective veterinary medicine student typically has a bachelor’s in a fi eld like biology before completing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Admission to veterinary programs is competitive and requires at least four years of classroom, lab, and clinical components. Currently, South Carolina ranks 46th out of 50 in the United States for the number of vets per thousand, according to the S.C. Association of Veterinarians—likely due to the lack of an in-state doctoral program.

For animal care and service workers, the BLS projects employment to grow 33% through 2030, nearly double that of veterinarians. Zookeepers like Davis combine skills and knowledge in nutrition, hygiene, and medical care, while also educating the public. Other wildlife biology majors may start in clinics, animal hospitals, and research labs.

“Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer—I can’t stress that enough.” Davis shares advice for any biology student seeking experience and a path forward in animal patient care. “Most of my zookeepers here started out as a volunteer. Get your foot in the door. Every zoo you apply to looks for that volunteer experience.”

Heldreth encourages biology majors to get postgraduate degrees. “It increases their options and earning capacity throughout their career,” he stated. “I love it when my students move on to master’s and PhD programs.”

Both Davis and Heldreth have combined their passion for animals with a meaningful career. Heldreth’s fi rst job out of school was mixed animal practice, which meant he was treating farm animals any time of day or night. He moved on to small animals—like dogs and cats—before dealing with the likes of Clark, Memphis, or the Golden Girls (the four female bison) at the Animal Forest.

“As far as veterinary medicine, you’ll want to treat it like human premed. The competition is so fi erce and there are so few vet schools,” Heldreth explained. “Get really good at chemistry, math, and biology. Make good grades and get animal experience, and you’ll be set up really well.”

He added, “Anyone can do it, you just have to want it bad enough.”

Davis said working so closely with the large animals at Charles Towne Landing is rewarding, but as with any career working directly with human or animal patients, it’s hard on the heart. “The losses hurt. That’s the biggest heartache—but it’s worthwhile. Especially when you educate the public on, say, the red wolves that are in the endangered species, and we’re helping with that.”

Working with animals isn’t always cutesy stuff. “Keep that in mind,” Davis said. “It’s not always petting the animals and having fun, it is hard work.”

For those interested in checking out the Animal Forest and learning more about wildlife or veterinary care, Charles Towne Landing offers the “Interview with a Veterinarian” program. Check out their website to see these and other events at southcarolinaparks.com/charles-towne-landing/ programs-and-events.

Pelican enjoying a sunny day.

The four bison at the zoo are named for the Golden Girls: Blanche, Dorothy, Sophia, and Rose.

The zoo also has smaller animals such as this opossum. Memphis loves when Dr. Heldreth comes by with treats.