Ok ya’ll, I figure since I decided to create this blog to make my life easier ( instead of sending a million text messages, which on the flip side is encouraging that ya’ll care to know whats up with me! lol!) I am already behind two days and haven’t written anything about my journey to memphis, (which to sum it up was scary as heck!) but don’t worry I will be posting about my first two days and my journey here shortly.
Working in the Elephant barn is always an adventure despite the pretty set routine. First thing’s first is Breakfast! ( “we’ve had one breakfast yes, but what about second Breakfast”- Pippin – The Lord of the Rings). Since it is only day three and yesterday was a “Rhino day” ( more on that later) I am still learning about the girl’s diets. Although I will say that compared to my past girls ( For those of you who don’t know I did an Asian Elephant internship over the summer for 3 months). These girls don’t get nearly as much produce as the Asians do! I was really suprised! After breakfast is made a well synchronized shift change occurs with the girls! This means that every elephants overnight holding can be cleaned and each girl is given a lovely, warm bath! During bath time is also training time! Each girl has a set of commands that they have learned (whether it be with the zookeepers or from their time before in the zoo) and this definetely helps during bath time! Some examples of the commands include lean in, kneel, head down, trunk up etc. all for the purpose of the keepers being able to properly clean the girls! As the girls age it is important to include mobility training, not just to help keep the weight off ( elephants eat a lot you know!) but as my mama always says ” if you dont move it, you lose it!” Mobility training includes leg lifts and “getting the steps in” walks around the yard! Each girl has her own personalities and honestly love interacting with their keepers, and its not just for the food! ( you can feel like a pez dispenser at times lol) But the girls choose to interact each time, if they are not inclined to participate in a training session or anything involving the keepers, honestly, they dont! It doesnt happen often but once in a blue moon.
A lot of cleaning goes into taking care of the girls but I wont bore ya’ll with the details of me lifting three hundred and eighty five pound filled wheel barrow *cough * *cough* . It is the little things that make us proud. But know that most of the day is prepping and cleaning.
Pacyderm Intern 