I completed 3 days at Twycross Zoo as part of their 'So You Want To Be A Vet?' scheme.
Day 1 was Husbandry, and we learned all about the way the animals are provided for , such as the way the enclosures are made.
As part of our tasks we got to handle a Leopard Gecko called Spotty, a Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantula Called Lucy, as well as a Homefields Tortoise and a domestic Guinea Pig.
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| Lucy the Tarantula |
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| Spotty the Gecko |
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| The Tortoise |
We weighed them, and took their temperature, as well as using a thermal imaging camera to look at their body heat - this was very cool!
Spotty was so cold that unless she was put on someone who was very warm, we couldn't find her on the camera, and the tortoise didn't show up at all on the camera because of his shell!
We then were given symptoms for some animals, and were asked to diagnose - this was very hard, as what was obvious after an explanation, we did not think of for ourselves. For example, a Bonobo with blood an a large swelling, we immediately assume a fight had occurred, only to find out that in fact, she was just in season.
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| Training |
In the afternoon we watched the elephant training, which was so interesting! Even baby Ganesh joined it. The training looked like tricks for the audience, but actually it was so the keepers could examine the elephants, with them willing. For example, they picked up their feet to have their toes checked!
Day 2 was all about nutrition. We spent some time learning all about the animal's various dietary needs, and ways of feeding.
For example, we handled animals such as a corn snake, a chinchilla an an bearded dragon.
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| Bearded Dragon |
The bearded dragon was particularly interesting, and we fed him some waxworms. The diet he is given is waxworms, and some other worms and insects, an he is fed twice a week. As in the wild they are fed live feed and have a wide variety, the lack of diversity in captivity can be a problem, as they may become mineral deficient.
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| Giraffe |
After that we had to make diet plans for a wooly monkey, a gorilla, an elephant and a giraffe.
The giraffe was very interesting as the diet was almost the same as is given to a horse! (Hay, maize, oats and pony nuts.)
This is because there is less suitable vegetation available in this country.
Day 3, Reproduction.
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| Baby Ganesh |
We had a talk on captive breeding programs. This was very interesting, as their baby Ganesh was created by artificial insemination.
It takes about 3 months for the elephant to be ready for breeding, as they have to get used to loud noises, strangers, standing on steps, having someone underneath them as well as other things. The elephant also has to be willing, due to the position of the vulva, and they move their whole reproductive tract up inside their body when not in use. AI is doubly difficult as the timing must be perfect - they can check this by monitoring hormone levels.
Then our task was to try and sex animals.
After much consideration, we decided:
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| Gerald, White Tree Frog - MALE Because he croaks a lot. |
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| Giant Madagascan Hissing Cockroach - FEMALE Because of shorter antennae |
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| Amber (or maybe Jade), domestic rabbit - FEMALE |
During our lunchtime task, we had to find 8 animals, and state their scientific name, and conservation status.
My favourites were two of the Black Capped / Pileated Gibbons. (hylobates lar pileatus, endangered.)
Contraception was discussed, and I was amazed to find out that the normal human Pill could be used on the larger Great Apes!
Overall these 3 days were a great experience, and I am very glad that I got to take part. After this scheme, I am seriously considering specialising as a Zoo Vet, mainly due to the amazingly wide variety!
