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.

There were plenty of oohs and aahs among the interns as animal trainer Shannon Smith introduced Tuli, a striped hyena. When you hear the word “hyena” the adjectives “cute” and “gorgeous” do not necessarily come to mind. Images of mangy, ruthless scavengers from The Lion King are more common. Striped hyenas sit about three feet tall and have well groomed, thick fur that stands on end when the hyena is frightened or anxious. Hyenas, along with countless other species, are harmed because of misconceptions that people harbor. The Wildlife Discovery Department at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park trains and introduces exotic animals to the public in hopes that personal contact will help to dispel misguided fears.

Situated atop a hill above the Park grounds is a large compound where trainers house more than 40 animal ambassadors. Our day at the Park brought us face to face with endangered species from Africa, South America, and Southern California. Petting animals such as Luna the tamandua (or lesser anteater) works to create a bond between the person and the animal. The Park uses this bond to help people understand and support the crucial need for conservation. For example, the fact that buying mahogany furniture threatens wild hyenas and their habitat has a much stronger impact if someone has recently been less than an arm’s length away from such a magnificent creature.

Aside from being a wonderful center for education, the animal compound serves as a safe haven for animals that can no longer survive or be reintroduced into the wild. The Park recently received two California desert tortoises. Because of their sedate nature, this species is wonderful to showcase to the public. What is more, once in captivity, California desert tortoises cannot be returned to the wild due to extreme risk of disease. This policy comes from a past crisis when the California desert tortoise population in the Mojave Desert significantly declined after coming into contact with a house tortoise with a respiratory disorder.

Amelia- Conservation Team

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