Zoo InternQuest is a career exploration program for high school students. For more photos see the Zoo InternQuest Photo Journal. To meet the Interns, read the Intern Profiles.

Gaylene Thomas’ job as an animal care supervisor for the San Diego Zoo is not like an animal keeper’s job. Her job entails more paper work such as setting employees’ schedules and evaluating employees, but she also contributes her expertise to the keepers on animal care decisions. By contrast, an animal keeper prepares diets, cleans the exhibits, and trains the animals daily to build a personal relationship with them.

Gaylene Thomas has worked at the Zoo for over 20 years. This was always her lifelong dream. Her first job at the Zoo was in a food stand and later as an admissions clerk. But she wanted to work directly with the animals. For that reason, she went to Mesa Community College and received her associate’s degree as a registered veterinary technician. Her degree opened many doors of opportunity. Since receiving her degree she has worked directly with animals in various areas of the Zoo, from birds to bears.
Currently, Gaylene does not have a fixed job because there is so much variation in what needs to get done from day to day. She is responsible for the staff in the animal areas that include the large carnivores such as bears, various primates, pandas, and polar bears. Sometimes she works with the animals, other times she trains keepers or helps design exhibits or helps coordinate animal moves to different zoos. She sometimes gives tours to interns, or supports the efforts of a hearing study for polar bears. She gets to do different jobs every single day, but she convinced us that you can get a job working with animals, if that is what you want to do. Thank you, Ms. Thomas, for convincing us that if you want it bad enough, you can find a way!

Elizabeth, Zoo InternQuest, Animal Careers Team

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