Zoo InternQuest is a career exploration program for high school students. For more information see the Zoo InternQuest Journals. For more photos see the Zoo InternQuest Photo Journal.

Sure, throwing sticks of celery into the mouth of a massive Indian rhinoceros as it sedately swings its head in your direction and looks you in the eye is something most people would remember. However, how many people know that all rhinoceros species are endangered?

Sunni Robertson, educator guide at the San Diego Zoo, hopes that guests will come away with amazing experiences as well as a greater understanding of animal species represented at the Zoo. She tries to spark an interest in the public and send visitors home with the motivation to create change.

As a favorite animal on Sunni’s tours, Gram the rhinoceros seems to
appreciate all the attention. While feeding the ever-hungry beast, we learned that Gram would soon be leaving the San Diego Zoo to travel all the way to Kansas to meet a potential mate. Because rhino species are endangered, creating an environment that is conducive to rhino breeding is extremely important. Captive breeding between institutions can increase variation in the gene pool. Although rhinos are primarily threatened by poaching for their supposedly aphrodisiacal horns, habitat loss due to deforestation also presents a problem. Gram, however, does all he can to promote rhino preservation. Having learned how to paint pictures, Gram raises money for conservation efforts by auctioning off his original artwork.

Jane and Veronica represent the Conservation Team.

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