Zoo View - Fall 2022

LOS ANGELES ZOO COMMISSION

Karen B. Winnick, President

Bernardo Silva, Vice President

Margot Armbruster

Christopher Hopkins

Daryl Smith

Richard Lichtenstein, Ex-Officio Member

LOS ANGELES ZOO ADMINISTRATION

Denise M. Verret, Chief Executive Officer & Zoo Director

Mei Kwan, Assistant General Manager

Beth Schaefer, Director of Animal Programs

Dr. Dominique Keller, Director of Animal Wellness Programs

Dan Keeffe, Director of Learning and Engagement

John Goodwin, Acting Construction and Maintenance Supervisor

Dr. Jake Owens, Director of Conservation

Darryl Pon, Director of Planning and Development

Carol Armstrong, Director of Sustainability and Capital Programs

Mae Huey, Director of Human Resources

Carl Myers, Communications Director

Jess Kohring, Director of Equity Programs

Denise Tamura, Executive Assistant

GLAZA OFFICERS

Brian Diamond, Chair

Erika Aronson Stern, Vice Chair

Phyllis Kupferstein, Secretary

Gregory D. Fuss, Treasurer

Tom Jacobson, GLAZA President

GLAZA TRUSTEES

Courtney Appell, Michael Armstrong, Alma Banuelos, Esther Chao, Vivian Chow, Malissia R. Clinton, Richard Corgel, Wendy M. Denham, Rob Ellis, Justin Enbody, Sam Enoch, Heather Evans, Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Cassidy Horn, Tyler K. Kelley, Diann H. Kim, Anthony Kitchener, Richard Lichtenstein, Alan G. Lowy, Patricia Liu McKenna, Steve O’Connell, Beth Price, Naomi K. Rodriguez, Marc L. Sallus, Patricia Silver, Slash, Jay Sonbolian, Madeline Joyce

Taft, Franco Terango, Ellia M. Thompson, Laura Z. Wasserman, Jennifer Thornton Wieland, Matthew Wilson

TRUSTEES EMERITI

Lloyd Levitin, Mrs. John F. Maher, Thomas R. Tellefsen

GLAZA ADMINISTRATION

Kait Hilliard, VP, Marketing and Communications

Sara Rodriguez, VP, Operations and Events

Gretchen Humbert, VP, Chief Financial Officer

Janet Dial, VP, Institutional Advancement Rob Woolley, Associate VP, Advancement Dawn Petersen-Amend, General Counsel Lisa Correa, Director of Membership Kirin Daugharty, Director of Volunteer Programs

ZOO VIEW (ISSN 0276-3303) is published quarterly by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association as a benefit to members. For information about membership, visit www.lazoo.org/membership

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All Ears

The serval has the largest ears for its body size of any feline. Its keen sense of hearing enables it to locate underground prey. This female arrived at the Zoo in April.

MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES Eric Garcetti

Photo by: JAMIE PHAM

ARRIVAL

Brenda Scott Royce

Autumn Hilden

Janet Dial, Kait Hilliard, Tom Jacobson, Dan Keeffe, Dr. Dominique Keller, Mei Kwan, Carl Myers, Dr. Jake Owens, Beth Schaefer, Denise M. Verret

Brink Creative

PROOFREADERS

Michele Goodman, Laura Parada, Lynne Richter

FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES

The sweet story behind seal pup Walnut’s name.

FEATURES

8 PRELUDE TO A PUP

The tale of the Zoo’s new harbor seal pup begins with his parents—Ziggy and Alfred—both of whom have dramatic stories of their own.

13 CAMPERS TO COUNSELORS

Three members of our summer Zoo Camp crew recall their early days as campers.

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE

14 OPENING DOORS

Our paid internship program immerses college students in zoo and conservation careers.

ON THE COVER

Meet the newest resident of Sea Life Cliffs at the Los Angeles Zoo. Harbor seal pup Walnut was born in April.

Photo by: JAMIE PHAM

LET’S BE SOCIAL

Follow us @LAZoo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TheLosAngelesZoo on YouTube.

Share your memories and photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using #LAZoo

JAMIE

briefs State Support

The state of California recently showed its support for the Zoo’s mission by awarding a budget allocation of $2.21 million—the first-ever issue of funds to the L.A.

Zoo from the state budget! California Senator Anthony Portantino, who spearheaded the budget allocation, made the announcement at a press conference at the Zoo in August, alongside Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Zoo Director Denise M. Verret, and GLAZA President Tom Jacobson.

The state money will fund a variety of projects, including a new Cape vulture habitat, a renovated space for trumpeter swans, and a study to guide development of more accessible and inclusive restroom facilities throughout the Zoo.

“I always loved taking my daughters to the Zoo, and in L.A. we have one of the best,” said Portantino. “It’s a historic landmark that encourages an appreciation for wildlife and biodiversity. I am proud to have secured this necessary funding for projects that will enhance and improve the Zoo experience.”

50 NIGHTS OF LIGHTS

A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE

is in store for visitors of the Zoo’s annual light display. The completely reimagined Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow will run from November 18 through January 22. The new event was designed around the Zoo’s mission, says Sara Rodriguez, GLAZA’s V.P. of Operations and Events. “It will focus more on what we are all about with a beautiful array of displays featuring animals and wildlife settings.” Bring friends and family to see a menagerie of breathtaking LED lanterns set aglow with nighttime delight.

DON’T MISS IT!

For tickets and info, visit: www.lazoo.org/LAZooLights

LET’S BE SOCIAL!

FOLLOW us @LAZoo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TheLosAngelesZoo on YouTube

SHARE your memories and photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using #LAZoo

JAMIE

PHAM

A Winning Program I

n August, the L.A. Zoo took home an award for Significant Achievement in Education at the annual Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) annual conference for its Virtual Zoo Pals program. Zoo Pals originated as a special grant-funded program that provides free Zoo admission and transportation to Title 1 schools. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Learning and Engagement team shifted delivery of this program to a virtual platform in order to meet the evolving needs of students.

“With the Zoo closed to the public and schools shifting to distance learning, we really had to get creative with the type of programming that we were offering,” says Learning & Engagement Curator Renae Cotero. “We were trying to find another way to reach our community.”

Since then, Virtual Zoo Pals has engaged more than 3,000 students in three-week sessions themed around the message: “You are an animal scientist.” While many virtual programs have flourished during the pandemic, Zoo Pals was recognized for its intentional approach to minimize technological barriers, increase students’ social and emotional wellbeing, and make virtual learning a student-led process.

LISTEN UP!

THE LOS ANGELES ZOO HAS PARTNERED with the Gottlieb Native Gardens on a new podcast focusing on urban conservation. Hosted by Dr. Jake Owens, the Zoo’s Director of Conservation, BiodiverCity looks at the boundaries between humans and nature—and how local scientists, including our own Zoo experts, are helping to save animals from around the world.

SUBSCRIBE

Wherever you get podcasts or visit www.lazoo.org/podcast

DELICIOUS & DELIGHTFUL

A NEW HEALTHY DINING OPTION has sprouted at the Zoo! Open on weekends and holidays, Bean Sprouts Café is located in the South America section. Its award-winning “Imaginibbles” menu encourages kids to make healthy choices with whimsical food in fun shapes. Adults, discerning eaters, and those with food restrictions will also find a variety of options. Bean Sprouts’ compostable packaging and eco-friendly design also align with the Zoo’s sustainability goals.

JAMIE

Early Bird

GLAZA member Leticia Hernan dez has a special fondness for giraffes—and baby animals of all kinds. So, she was doubly pleased when this male giraffe calf caught her eye on a visit in July. “He was hiding behind his mom and looking in my direction. Must have taken about 30 photos of him.” Hernandez visits several times a year with the primary purpose of photographing the animals. Her tip for other shutter bugs? “Go as early as possible to get the best light.”

LEFT PAGE

The newest member of our giraffe herd, this male calf was born in April to parents Phillip and Zainabu. The lanky lad measured 6’7” inches at birth, making him the tallest calf ever born at the L.A. Zoo.

Photo by: LETICIA HERNANDEZ

RIGHT PAGE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Western lowland gorilla Evelyn by CAROL J. CHIHARA; masked lapwing by ARTHUR BOHLMANN; harpy eagle by KERI KILGO; Sumatran tiger by ARTHUR BOHLMANN; pensive chimpanzee by DAN NEVAREZ; meerkat sentry by MELISSA RIORDAN

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS

To be considered for inclu sion in future installments of Zoom-In, submit your best images taken at the L.A. Zoo. No more than two images per member per month, please. Include your name in the file name for each photograph (e.g., Giraffe-John Smith). Do not send images that include people unless you will be able to provide a signed release from all parties pictured in the event your photo is selected for publication. If there’s a special story behind the photo, let us know!

SUBMIT PHOTOS BY EMAIL photos@lazoo.org

Sweet Dreams

The life of a harbor seal pup is a busy one, but there’s always time for naps! Walnut spent his early weeks nursing, bonding with mom, and learning the skills he’ll need to thrive in his watery world.

Prelude to a Pup

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE photos by JAMIE PHAM

Every animal at the Zoo has a story—and for newborns, that story often begins long before their birth or hatching. That’s certainly the case with Walnut, a male harbor seal born in April. It’s impossible to tell this pup’s tale without a nod to his parents, both of whom have dramatic stories of their own.

The pup’s pop, Alfred (below), was rescued off the coast of New Jersey. Blind due to injuries sustained in the wild, he was also severely underweight—likely the result of his inability to catch fish. He was rehabilitated at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, but due to his blindness he was deemed non-releasable. The search was on for a permanent home, and the Zoo’s newly constructed Sea Life Cliffs habitat was the perfect fit. Alfred arrived here in the fall of 2007.

“The wild is unforgiving, and for many animals it would have been the end of the story,” says Animal Keeper Bryan Martinez. “Fortunately for Alfred, and us, he found his way to the Zoo.” With patience and creativity, the staff helped the blind seal

learn to navigate his new surroundings. “Alfred provided a unique challenge for his keepers because he experienced his environ ment through touch and sound. He was an incredible training partner and often taught his keepers a few things along the way.”

Mom Ziggy has a similar against-the-odds survival story. She was rescued as a day-old pup from a rocky stretch of coast in Dana Point in February 2016, her umbilical cord still attached.

Her rescuers from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) in Laguna Beach weren’t cer tain what happened to Ziggy’s mother but knew something was seriously amiss.

Adult harbor seals are usually solitary, but during pupping season females gather in huge groups at breeding sites known as “rookeries.” They haul out onto the beach and give birth at roughly the same time. “There’s safety in numbers,” says Director of Animal Programs Beth Schaefer of seals’ synchronized births.

So, to find a newborn alone, away from a rookery, was cause for concern. It was also a bit early in the season for harbor seal births in southern California. PMMC staff monitored the pup for a while, and when it became clear that its mother wasn’t re turning, made the difficult decision to re move her from the wild. They brought her to PMMC for rehabilitation, bottle-feeding her five or six times a day before transi tioning her to a diet of fish.

Due to her history, Ziggy was also unlikely to survive in the wild. Nine months after her rescue, she made the move to the Los Angeles Zoo, where she joined Alfred and the other harbor seals at Sea Life Cliffs.

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER

The decision to pair Alfred and Ziggy came from the harbor seal Species Survival Plan (SSP). Created by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), SSPs cooperatively manage zoo animals to ensure sustainable, genetically diverse populations. The Zoo currently participates in more than 120 SSPs, among them the critically endangered Western lowland gorilla, blue-throated macaw, and radiated tortoise.

SSPs are often likened to computer dat ing programs, since breeding recommenda tions are based on computer analyses. But rather than comparing likes and dislikes, they are primarily looking at lineage. Knowing who’s related to whom is crucial

to making sound matchmaking decisions and ensuring maximum genetic variability. Other factors taken into consideration are space, logistics, demographics, and the maintenance of natural social groupings. As Ziggy and Alfred were both wild-born, their potential offspring would enhance the ge netic diversity of the overall zoo population.

Not all breeding recommendations result in the pitter-patter of little feet (or flippers, as the case may be). A match may make sense on paper, but the animals in question lack chemistry. Ziggy and Alfred had always gotten along, and by October 2021, their caregivers began to suspect a pregnancy was possible.

There are no foolproof pregnancy tests for most exotic animals; more often, physical and behavioral changes are the only indications that a female is expecting. When the small-bodied seal began putting on weight, Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Jordan Da vis-Powell (above) performed an ultrasound and confirmed the keepers’ suspicions.

BY THE BOOK

The last harbor seal birth at the Zoo had occurred 12 years earlier, before the seals’ current crop of caregivers were assigned to Sea Life Cliffs. It would be a first for Ziggy, too. “With a first-time mom, you never know if she’s going to have those natural maternal instincts,” says Senior Animal Keeper Mallory Peebles. Ziggy had never

even witnessed a birth or been around mothers with pups. “So, you have to pre pare for multiple ‘what if’ scenarios.”

Animal Care staff quickly set to work creating a birth plan, drawing on the expertise of Zoo curators, veterinary staff, and keepers, as well as other facilities that house harbor seals. “A lot of minds went into the process,” says Peebles, adding that her team made a field trip to the Marine Mammal Center in San Pedro as part of their research.

Animal Keeper Olivia Yuska took the lead in preparing written protocols for the team. The extensive document addressed all possible outcomes. “If the pup stays with mom, this is the protocol; if we need to in tervene, this is what that will look like,” she explains. “And if we’re going to hand-rear the pup, there’s another set of guidelines.”

Dr. Davis-Powell compiled a similar document for the veterinary side of the equation, outlining potential medical in terventions and under what circumstances each might be advised. “I read the literature and exchanged notes with the keepers, and then we decided what was our approach and what made sense for the L.A. Zoo.”

TRAINING DAYS

With a baby on the way, the Sea Life Cliffs crew added maternal training to Ziggy’s program. Like many zoo animals, the harbor seals receive regular behavioral

JAMIE PHAM

training. Using positive reinforcement techniques, keepers coach animals to par ticipate in a variety of behaviors that facil itate their care—such as getting on a scale, presenting various body parts for exam ination, and sitting still for blood draws or vaccinations. This voluntary training allows animal care staff to perform routine health checks without anesthetizing the animals. It also provides cognitive challenges and promotes physical exercise.

Using a sea lion plush as a stand-in for Ziggy’s future baby (a harbor seal plush was deemed too plump), keepers introduced be haviors that would allow them to intervene if necessary. “For example, we would have Ziggy lay there while we put the ‘pup’ in po sition for nursing,” says Martinez. “So, she’d be used to our presence in case we needed to assist with the rearing of the pup.”

BABY ON BOARD

The mom-to-be was closely monitored throughout her pregnancy. Every few weeks, Dr. Davis-Powell visited Sea Life Cliffs to perform an ultrasound. “We’d check the heartbeat, see how big the pup was growing, and make sure everything was progressing normally,” she says. These routine exams had another important purpose: to reinforce Ziggy’s training and maintain her comfort level with veterinary staff. “So, if there was a chance something went wrong, she would let us get hands on.”

Weeks passed and Ziggy grew … and grew. “She gained a lot more than we anticipated,” Martinez says. “She almost doubled her weight.”

“It wasn't that she was getting fat,” Peebles points out. “It’s that she was tiny before.”

The team’s research indicated that petite females can have difficulty in labor, a con cern amplified by the fact that Alfred was significantly larger than Ziggy. Despite her growing size, Ziggy remained mobile and eager to participate in training sessions throughout her pregnancy.

WAITING GAME

The peculiar reproductive biology of har bor seals makes it difficult to predict when labor will occur. Schaefer explains, “Their gestation can be anywhere from nine to

From the Mouths of Babes

Walnut the seal’s adorable name has an equally adorable origin story.

Earlier this year, Baldwin and In-hae Yen were de bating what to name their newborn daughter when the baby’s big sister, four-year-old Elliott, chimed in, “Sweetheart Walnut— that’s the most beautiful name!”

The Yens christened their infant Morgan instead.

A few months later, Baldwin learned that the Zoo had welcomed a new har bor seal pup—and that the opportunity to name the seal was available through GLAZA’s Animal Naming Program.

In addition to being regular zoo visitors, the Yens also supported the Zoo through the SKB Foundation, a philanthropic family foundation started by Baldwin’s parents.

At first, Baldwin resisted the naming

notion. With two daughters, he couldn’t choose just one name. Then he decided on “Walnut,” a shortened version of Elliott’s suggested name for Morgan.

The name not only honors both Yen girls, it also perfectly suits the seal pup, whose personality is a little “nutty,” according to his keepers.

Funds from GLAZA’s Animal Naming Program support animal care programs at the Zoo. It’s a cause near and dear to Baldwin’s heart. “Zoos are amazing places,” he says. “They’re necessary to help children form a better connection to animals, and thus help with con servation efforts. It's one thing to read about animals and see cute pictures of them. But seeing them in person is such a different experience. It makes a real, visceral connection.”

One thing is certain: Elliott and Mor gan will always have a special connection to Walnut, a sweetheart of a seal.

HOW YOU CAN NAME AN ANIMAL

Animal naming opportunities are available for donations of $1,000 to $25,000, depending on the species. To learn more, contact Danika Jensen at (323) 486-1352 or djensen@lazoo.org.

JAMIE PHAM

eleven months, which is a pretty big range. That includes a period of delayed implan tation, where an egg has been fertilized but it doesn’t implant or begin to develop for a few weeks—or even a few months.”

Known as “diapause,” this phenomenon is thought to allow seal births to align with conditions that are most favorable for the survival of the pup. “So, we don’t know exactly when the pregnancy started,” Mar tinez says, “which makes it harder to gauge the due date.”

Ziggy’s weight gain further confound ed matters. “There’s research that says they gain about 30 kilograms [roughly 66 pounds] before they give birth,” Yuska says, “but Ziggy was at that for almost a month.”

As the wide window of possible due dates approached, preparations ramped up. A night keeper began checking in on Ziggy in the evenings, and a new camera system was installed behind-the-scenes at Sea Life Cliffs. “Cameras are helpful because they allow you to monitor without disturbing the animals,” Schaefer says.

“There’s a wives’ tale that says they will most likely give birth in their birth month,” says Yuska. But February came and went, then March, and most of April. Finally, on April 29, during a morning training session with Ziggy, Martinez sensed a change.

“I got the ‘something’s different’ vibes from Ziggy,” he says. “So, I called the vets, and they came down right away.”

“We got there around nine a.m.,” says Dr. Davis-Powell, “and we watched.” Most zoo births happen as they would in the wild—naturally. Staff typically do not inter vene in the delivery unless the health of the mother or infant is compromised. The vets observed for about two hours as Ziggy’s labor progressed without complication. At 11:19 a.m., the pup was born. “Everything was perfect.”

“Ziggy did all the work,” Martinez adds. “We were just there in case she needed us.”

IT’S A BOY!

From the start, Ziggy exhibited strong maternal behaviors. “Ziggy vocalized to the pup right away, which is a very good sign,” says Yuska. The pup also did what comes naturally: taking his first swim and nursing

from his mother just four hours after birth.

For the next few days, keepers worked round-the-clock shifts to keep an eye on mother and pup. “We made sure the pup was thriving, and there were no issues going on,” says Yuska.

Following standard procedure for Zoo newborns, the veterinarians waited 24 hours to perform a neonatal exam. This ensures the baby has had a chance to bond with its mother and to begin nursing. The next morning, Davis-Powell was back at Sea Life Cliffs to perform this vital first check-up.

“The pup was really feisty, so it was very quick,” she relates. “We checked the umbilical area, listened to the heart and lungs, and looked him over to make sure everything was physically normal.” They also determined the baby’s gender (male) and weight (9.8 kilograms, or roughly 21 pounds).

Ziggy stayed in the water while the vets did their thing. “She watched us, and she made little vocalizations, but she didn’t try to be aggressive,” says Davis-Powell.

“That’s another benefit to her train ing,” says Martinez. “She was comfortable with us being near her baby.” Within about five minutes, he was back in the water, swimming around like nothing happened.

Harbor seals are precocial, meaning they develop very quickly. They can swim immediately and only nurse for a few weeks before transitioning to a diet of fish. The pup met all the developmental milestones expected for his species. “He became a stronger swimmer every day,” says Yuska. “We’d see him practice his buoyancy, floating for longer and longer periods of time and then sinking to the bottom.”

Ziggy’s nursing game was solid; the pup rapidly packed on pounds. “He was pretty roly-poly,” Peebles says affectionately.

As her pregnancy hormones wore off, Ziggy began resisting the pup’s attempts to nurse, another natural step in the matura tion process. Harbor seal milk is very fatty, so after he was weaned, the pup slimmed down a bit. “He went from bigger to small er,” Martinez laughs. “Kind of a Benjamin

Button situation.”

With plenty of fat reserves, the pup took his sweet time learning to eat fish.

“We started offering him different varieties— capelin, squid, and herring,” Yuska says. “He took to the squid first, and he kind of was slurping it, which made sense for him because he was used to nursing. After about two weeks he was finally open to trying capelin. And now he eats everything!”

WELCOME, WALNUT

The pup, named Walnut through GLAZA’s Animal Naming program (see story on page 11), spent his first few months behind the scenes bonding with mom and gaining confidence. He also needed to learn how to navigate Sea Life Cliffs. “There are a lot of steep sides in the main habitat, and he has to learn how to haul out of that water,” says Martinez. “We wanted him to have some training behind him first, so he would feel comfortable. The training is just another way for us to help him thrive and succeed in that space.”

Walnut and Ziggy share Sea Life Cliffs with sea lion Rockie and harbor seal Mysti. Keepers say the latter has taken on the role of the pup’s aunt. Sadly, Alfred, who had been in declining health for some time, passed away in July, a few months after Walnut’s birth. “Alfred lived a full life here at the Los Angeles Zoo, which he would not have been able to do in the wild, including improving the genetic diversity of his spe cies through his offspring,” says Martinez. “We now get to honor Alfred by applying all of the things he taught us to taking care of Walnut.”

The pup bears a striking resemblance to his late father. “He has Alfred’s coloring and spotting,” says Davis-Powell. “Ziggy is a lot darker.”

Personality-wise, his keepers say Wal nut is a blend of both parents: smart and spunky like Ziggy, and gentle and caring like Alfred.

Watching the playful pup frolic in his pool, it’s clear that the long road of planning and preparation has paid off. His caregivers gave him the best possible start in life, setting the stage for the next part of his story.

Campers to Counselors

Three members of the 2022 Zoo Camp Crew recall their early days as campers.

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE

When Rafael Bravo reported for duty as an L.A. Zoo Camp Counselor this summer, it was like stepping back in time. Fifteen years earlier, he’d attended Zoo Camp for the first time as a kindergartner. One of his most cherished memories that summer took place during Animal Closeups, a camp activity in which kids came face-to-face with armadillos, guinea pigs, and other outreach animals. He recalls Zoo Camp Manager Coral Barreiro (then an instructor) entering the room with the day’s special animal guest, a bearded drag on. “My eyes just blew up,” Rafael says. “I thought, ‘I want to do what she’s doing!’”

Rafael returned to Zoo Camp every year until he aged out of the program, but he never forgot the joy it sparked in his younger self. “I remember always coming home with a smile on my face—and want ing to go back to the Zoo.”

For Matthew Medina, Zoo Camp is a family affair. His mother, Arleen, has been an instructor for 14 years. Mat

thew attended camp for three of those years. In addition to nurturing his love of animals, the experience also encouraged his artistic abilities. “One year, the topic was superheroes compared to animals, and I remember drawing all these cool characters and getting attention from the counselors. It really meant a lot to me,” Matthew says. “I still have all the drawings I did in Zoo Camp.”

“The Zoo has always been like a second home for me,” says Jackie Ramirez. “I started in the toddler classes when I was two years old, and then I did Zoo Camp all the way until I was thirteen. I loved the Zoo so much, I didn’t ever want to leave.”

A few years after she outgrew camp, Jackie was back at the Zoo as a student volunteer. One day during her volunteer shift she ran into her former camp in structor, Arleen Medina (Matthew’s mom), who urged her to become a counselor. “As soon as the job opened up this year, I applied, and I got in. And it was the best full circle ever!”

Jackie and Rafael were first-time coun selors this summer, while Matthew spent two previous summers as a counselor and this year was promoted to instructor. All three say that their childhood experiences

as campers shaped the way they approach their jobs. “There was a counselor named George who was funny and always run ning around with us,” says Matthew. “And I remember thinking, if I could be in that position, I’d want to do that. And now that I am, I put my own little spin on it.” Not surprisingly, Matthew incorporates his love of art into his Zoo work. “I carry a clipboard around, and I’ll doodle for the kids. Their creativity and excitement bounce off you.”

For Jackie, inspiring kids to care about endangered species is especially reward ing. “My favorite animal is the okapi, and hardly anyone knows that animal, so I love teaching campers about it. I had a student one week who came back the following week but was in a different class. Their class made little animal headbands and waistbands, and he ran up to me after wards, ‘Miss Jackie, I made an okapi for you!’ It made me so happy I got tearyeyed, because before Zoo Camp, he had no idea what an okapi was.”

“To be able to pass along what I learned and experienced as a camper to these kids was amazing,” Rafael adds. “Now I’m the one making sure they leave every day with a smile on their face.”

OPENING DOORS

Through its paid internship program, the Zoo immerses students in zoo and conservation careers.

This summer, in an effort to find more equitable ways to engage the diverse commu nities of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Zoo proudly wel comed 14 college students from systemically excluded identities, specifically those who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or varying abilities, to participate in a 10-week paid internship program. Interns had the opportunity to work directly with mentors from various Zoo divisions, in cluding Conservation, Learning & Engage ment, and Nutrition. As the mentor for the Learning & Engagement interns, I was excited for the opportunity to share my experiences with the interns and provide an opportunity for them to build the skills

necessary to begin their own journeys. Each cohort had a unique experience and learned essential work-related skills needed for futures in zoo and conservation fields.

by RENAE COTERO (she/hers)

B.A. in Biology, Occidental College School Programs Coordinator, L.A. Zoo

communities, nature, and animals. This cohort of interns facilitated programs both onsite at the Zoo and offsite in the community. During each program, they facilitated conversations about wildlife, helped participants feel comfortable in nature, and had meaningful experiences with students.

LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT

INTERNS: Trinity Astilla, Jeremiah Cabrera, Brianna Vasquez

MENTOR: Renae Cotero, Curator of Education

The Learning & Engagement Division fosters lasting relationships between

One of the programs the L&E interns worked with was the Migrant Education Program (MEP). Coordinated by LAUSD, MEP provides educational support for children of migrant workers. The L&E in terns worked directly with these students to help create positive and memorable experiences for them at the Zoo. They saw the importance of representation in zoos and were able to be positive role models for the students. “I really loved working with the Migrant Education

JAKE OWENS

Program,” says Jeremiah (he/him). “It was amazing to see the kids grow in their interest, comfort at the Zoo, and confi dence. I love knowing that I had a positive impact on kids in my community.”

EXPERT

NUTRITION

INTERN: Brandon Stansbury-Medina MENTOR: Emily Schwartz, Zoo Nutritionist

CONSERVATION

INTERNS: Daniel Chroman, Eden Dore, Belen Flores, Anthony Insinilla, Ivan IsidoroVillafuerte, Julie Lazaro, Max Morales, Gus Molina, Krishna Parekh, Keileen Ramirez MENTOR: Anna Becker, Coordinator of Community Conservation

The Conservation Division interns spent the summer building technical skills in applied conservation—gaining experience that will increase access, networks, and pathways to future employment. Working in undevel oped areas of the Zoo, the interns had the opportunity to learn and practice various field techniques, including habitat mapping, transects, soil sampling, camera traps, and sound sampling. “I became excited to learn about what a conservationist does on a daily basis,” says Max (they/them), “and how to work with all the different equipment like camera traps and setting up transects.” Using the skills they developed, the interns conducted their own research projects, collected and analyzed data, and presented their findings to their peers.

An important aspect of this internship was for the interns to reflect on their own relationships with nature and the impor tance of increasing access for all commu nities. One Conservation intern said, “The best thing about this internship program is that it has provided me a space to not just learn about conservation but to also grow as a person.”

Animal welfare is our highest priority at the Zoo, and nutrition plays a vital role in the life of every animal here. During his intern ship, Brandon (he/him) was able to gain real world experience in science, research, and animal health. He completed daily diet prep and assisted with food deliveries throughout the Zoo. To demonstrate his understanding of animal diets, Brandon formulated his own diet for an imaginary cassowary.

Brandon also learned about body condition scoring—an important health assessment method that includes measur ing an animal’s fat and muscle deposits. He assisted with body condition scoring of species including goats, jaguars, and mountain tapirs.

Brandon says, “This was an amazing experience, and I hope to still stay very close with the Los Angeles Zoo and the staff because I’ve made great relationships with them all.”

As a conservation organization, our goal is to create a just and sustainable world where people and wildlife thrive, together, and this internship was an important step towards achieving that goal. As a mentor, I was inspired both personally and profes sionally by the interns, their love for the Zoo, and their eagerness to learn how they can help future generations connect with and conserve wildlife. My hope for this cohort is that they not only leave with the skills to pursue careers in conservation, but that they also know that their fellow in terns, mentors, and the L.A. Zoo are invest ed in them as individuals and will continue to support them on their journeys.

LEARNING BY DOING

Conservation interns learned field research techniques—and put them into action to study local biodiversity. Here, they set up camera traps in an undevel oped area of the Zoo.

Photo by: Anna Becker

INSPIRING OTHERS

Learning & Engagement interns pass on what they’ve learned, inspiring younger generations to connect with and conserve wildlife.

Photo by: Laura Frost

SUSTAINABLE