Tena Tails
Almost every time someone finds out I work at at Roger Williams Park Zoo their eyes light up. “What a fun job that must be!” is the usual first thing they say. And they are right. Working at a zoo is one of the most fun jobs I can think of. It is also one of the most challenging and rewarding. Those of us who work here take for granted all the wonderful, cool, fantastic, incredible stuff/things we get to see/do every day. Seeing that light in the eyes and the hearing the awe and envy in the voice of others remind us that what we do is in fact unique. But it’s not like saying you work at a hospital or an insurance office. Those careers can be easily pictured. The average person has very little idea exactly what goes on behind the scenes at a zoo. I know I didn’t when I started volunteering here 6 years ago. That’s why this blog has been created – to give you a glimpse into one woman’s work at the zoo. So you too can share in the joys and fun (and the occasional heartbreak) that comes with working at Roger Williams Park Zoo.
My name is Tena and I will be your virtual guide to my little corner of the world here at RWPZOO. Here are some of the things I’ll be sharing:
-Life in the education department – any time you mix animals and kids hilarity and inspiration and learning will ensue. I’ll keep you up to date with our doings and tell funny stories and quotes as they occur.
-Enrichment – here at the Zoo we try our best to make our animals life as rich and full as they can be. That could be anything from walking the miniature Sicilian donkey (Willy, the greatest donkey ever!) to giving papier-mâché prey items to the wild dogs. Stay tuned for cool video and explanations from our general collection. Also, I am the enrichment co-coordinator for our education collection and will share the stories of this. There could be video clips of ferrets playing in a big box of shoelaces, pictures of our wallaby (Vincent) getting into his usual mayhem, or all other sorts of craziness.
-Training – I’m one of the people attempting to train some of our education collection to exhibit natural behaviors on programs. You can go along on this ride with me as I try to figure out how to keep getting outsmarted by such things as rats and opossums.
No two days are ever the same here so check in weekly to see what I have managed to get into. And to get to know what goes on here behind the scenes. After all, it’s your Zoo too.
Nikolai said,
November 6, 2007 @ 8:32 pm
Amazing. I’m so excited to hear that the Zoo will be posting semi-regular video clips. The IT minor in me is doing backflips right now.
Pamela D said,
November 23, 2007 @ 6:59 am
All this is so interesting!!!…I didn’t know some of these things…I’m really looking forward to learning a lot more thru this site…See you next week, Tena…Have a nice day!!!
Pahli Hubert said,
November 25, 2007 @ 12:39 am
I was a docent at a N.C. ZOO The New River Zoo
to be sure it was one of the most rewarding times of my life.
I wish that i lived nearer a animal park or zoo !!
Gale Grey said,
December 3, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
Tena, this is great! thanks so much for doing it! I love the Dakota youtube!
Mary Lynne and Alexis said,
December 5, 2007 @ 7:15 am
Tena,
We think you are the best!! Your enthusiasm has turned my soon to be six year old into a very GREEN animal lover and has taught her mother a thing or 100!! This sight is wonderful and so are you!!!
Love and Happy Holidays,
Mary Lynne and Alexis
Mary Lynne and Alexis said,
December 24, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
Dear Tena,
I wonder how you got to be such a great zoo lab teacher. I miss you so much.
Love, Alexis
Brie said,
April 3, 2008 @ 12:37 am
tena,
i only read this once and i’m already hooked!
thank so much for giving everyone aninside look on your life at the zoo
you are truly and inspiration!
your fan,
brie!!!
Steven Mason said,
April 16, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
Will you please send the Denver Zoo some giant pandas? No matter if they accept them or not? Denver Zoo does somethins very silly. Have you heard of a zoo with two exhibbis of the same animal? Exsample we have 2 exhibits of zebras. And two of the Palas cat and mishmi takin. Silly isn’t it? Then the say they have no room. Well of course not. Also we have a master plan going. Well we are supose to. Asian tropics is supose to be started on but all they do is just talk. They say It is going to have this and that and this. Well ok Stop talking and get started Isay. They are so slow even the sloth is getting jealous. Please send the Denver Zoo the giant pandas like the minnute after reading this letter. Please e-mail me back on this if you wish. But more importantly, Send the Denver zoo some giant pandas weather they want them or not. I want them there. Hey I go to the Zoo allthe time, Shouldn’t they listen to people about what animals they would like to see there?
alison greenlee said,
October 24, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
Lordy, lordy…when I read your blog, I nearly wet myself! I find your life soooo exciting and full of adventure. I now must live vicariously through your exciting zoological life and check your blog incessantly for further adventures. Can’t wait until the next installment! Thanks