We started with species care and unpacked the unit standards like a puzzle... It's interesting to see how things fit and link to each other to make a bigger picture.
We started off by getting to know the place, where everything is and we were told what is expected of us. We are an all girls group so the tasks that were given were done very quickly and easily. We made tag teams with the preparation of food and milk and we can now even do it faster then the 2nd years!
We learn't how to determine an animals mood and how to react on the behavior of an animal. This was really nerve wrecking because of course now they had to do the wrong things to show us what will happen... A hissing caracal 10 feet away from you in the same cage is no joke! Even the lions, if they pull back their ears and you don't stop you better have an escape route that will save you from those deadly teeth.
It's not all bad once you get the hang of it though. Max and Lex will back off when running back towards them making your body big and tall and if they bite, which they usually do, you simply in a deep strong tone of voice say LOS! and hit them on the nose and you will live. Just be sure to keep an eye out for both of them at all times because the one will make you soft and the other will jump on you from behind!
We took them for a lion walk the other day and they loved it! You can really see their natural behavior coming out when you give them a bit more space to roam and play.Another important thing about them is that they have a gap between the teeth in front so when they bite you you can place your fingers there and it wont hurt.
Minke the mongoose! She is our newest arrival and she was given to us first years so we can learn how to handle a new baby. We give her 4ml milk every 3 hours and we have to stimulate her after every feed. This means you have to wet a piece of cotton with luke warm water and rub her vagina and anus so she would then give off feces or urine or both. She is really noisy and so we couldn't take her home because she will attract the others and then we will have a mongoose infestation on our hands!
I learn't first hand what hard labor means! We dug out the tree roots sticking out on the surface in the pathways for two days and we dug out the sunken rocks that indicate the pathway. Our bodies really hurt and we could proudly say we got it all done and that we won't be visiting a gym very soon!
We are learning about animal enrichment and what it contributes to the animals well being. We are currently busy with a project where we compare the cages of different servals and then make a few changes to make their environment as close to their natural habitat as possible. We now know the difference between a zoo and a rehabilitation center
My next course is site guide. This is in a nutshell the game drives. What it in tales is having the knowledge of the animals and knowing how to drive a jeep... I don't have a license which does create a problem though.
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