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Hands–on Experience Continued
Above: As Senior Keeper Andrew Ferris looks on, Nina helps a dolphin become
familiar with the ultrasound equipment and procedure. Crew members work
proactively with the animals to make sure they are comfortable with procedures pinnipeds’ first care session. By 9:30 a.m. we were all back
such as an ultrasound and blood collection.
Nina is majoring in psychology at Pomona College in California.
After graduation, she plans to become a marine mammal trainer.
What did you do?
I worked in the Seven Seas building and at Pinniped Point
and helped care for the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, gray seals,
and California sea lions.
How did you find out about the internship?
Knowing I want to work with marine mammals, I looked for intern-
ship positions at facilities in the U.S. that were accredited by the AZA
[Association of Zoos & Aquariums]. I had previous experience with
pinnipeds; however, I wanted the opportunity to work with cetaceans.
This internship stood out to me because it gave me the opportunity to
work with a variety of species—including bottlenose dolphins—and it
has a strong focus on animal welfare and welfare research.
Describe a typical day.
Our days in the marine mammal department varied a lot from one
day to another, but there were some cornerstones. Our mornings started
with diet preparation—this was as early as 6:30 a.m. During this time,
we checked the quality of items that went into our animals' diets.
28 GATEWAYS | GAINING HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
MNayinearVdicetoPriaaulo
Marine Mammal Intern with Seven Seas
and Pinniped Point
We then did a full cleaning of the kitchen area.
By 8:30 a.m. staff were usually out on the habitat for the
at Seven Seas for the dolphins' first care session. For the
rest of the day, we ping-ponged back and forth between
our animal areas for care sessions, Dolphins in Action
presentations, cleaning, and other daily tasks.
All that aside, a vast majority of my day was spent
cleaning, which is essential to the welfare of our animals
and something we all take great pride in. I also spent a lot
of time in the sound booth or in the stadium during our
Dolphins in Action presentations. I answered questions
from guests. I was lucky enough to be at work the day
Charger, our sea lion pup, was born—that was definitely
a special day!
What did you like most about interning at the zoo?
Working there was amazing. There was always
something new to explore. Brookfield Zoo provided many
opportunities to learn inside its gates—from night lectures
to employee events and intern tours. The opportunities
extended into the city. I explored many of Chicago’s other
educational institutions, like the Field Museum and The
Art Institute, through an employee reciprocity program.
My time there also allowed me to develop relationships
with the animals, which was a true privilege.
What did you gain from the internship?
I've had other internships with marine mammals, but
this one stands out. This internship had an emphasis on
our development as young professionals in the field. There
was so much support for our continued growth—the entire
team was always happy to answer questions and assist in
our learning process. Besides that, I was always inspired by
the support of our guests for what we did every day. It was
amazing to see the connections they formed and how it
drove them in their own lives.
For information about CZS’s internship program,
go to CZS.org/interns.