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.

Road trips with my family always made me realize that San Diego is a very special place. This was especially clear to me during a family vacation to Texas many years ago. I remember looking out the car window and repeatedly asking my mom, ”Why is it so barren compared to San Diego’s landscape?” Well, nearly nine years later, I finally got my answer from Jean-Pierre Montagne, senior research laboratory technician at the San Diego Zoo’s Beckman Center for Conservation Research.

San Diego is home to a plethora of habitats, the most prevalent being that of endangered coastal sage scrub. The undeveloped land that surrounds the Wild Animal Park presents a prime example of this ecosystem type and is precisely where our most recent adventure began. Mr. Montagne first began volunteering at the Park eleven years ago after receiving his bachelor’s degree in ecology and evolution from the Univerisity of California, San Diego. His volunteer position as a rhino observer soon progressed into his current paid position. When he’s not in the field, he works in the Clinical Pathology Lab where various types of animal samples are analyzed. However, for five sequential days a month he works on San Diego County’s Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP)where he monitors arrays of humane pit fall traps. The MSCP monitors biodiversity and works to preserve a network of habitats and open space in the county. The San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, is home to 140 bucket traps. During the collection period, Mr. Montagne and two others check the traps daily. Volunteers are welcome to join the group.

On a beautifully sunny day, we trekked to the trap locations. Each bucket catch contains two pieces of PVC pipe that serves as a refuge for the animals that fall in. Inside the bucket is also a small damp sponge that provides water for the animals. On our outing we found mostly beetles and millipedes. Next to each array lies a snake trap. Wood lies over the cylindrical trap to provide shelter for the temporarily delayed snake.

Variation always captures a child’s eye, especially while driving across country. My children are bound to ask repetitive questions on road trips, just as I did. One thing is for sure: I may not know whether or not we’re there yet, but, thanks to Mr. Montagne, I will certainly know why San Diego is known for its biodiversity.

Lindsay, Careers Team

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