zoo job update

Today was my second day at the Zoo in Belfast where I am giving 2 talks a day on the world wide importance of bats and in between times answering questions about bats. Last week the day dragged and dragged but today how different could it have been. For a start I had a live bat which drew crowds all day and more people came to the talks. The zoo policy was no touching the bat because of the possibility of catching rabies - pah!

To top it all I was brought behind the scenes to be with the Gorillas - man are they big! - I was introduced to them all - the silver back down to the baby. I got to be with them for 45 minutes and got to give them 2 bananas each. one at the start and the 2nd before I left. One cheeky monkey - I know they are apes - missed out on his 2nd banana because he did his party 'trick'. When my back was turned he took a mouthful of water from his auto drinker thang and spat it at me - direct hit on the back. The silver back has to be fed first or he beats up the others. They all have bolt holes into their sleeping quaters which are too small for him to get through. They realy studied me because I was new.

Next week i will see the Black-footed Cats who are tucked away out of site because they are rare, nocturnal and are part of a breeding program.

Wow, how cool is that? I envy you for sure!!! I'm so happy for you!! That must be the most awesome experience ever to be able to do all this

I must admit I was a wee bit scared of the Gorillas at first

I bet. I think I would have probably soiled my pants if I stood next to one of those silver backs........lol

Mark, what a thrill it will be to get to know the wonderful animals at the zoo. This sounds like a really great opportunity to share and expand your knowledge.

Zowie! What a great job! Sounds like you had a great time, Mark. Hope it stays like that! (So the "party trick" was a no-no, eh?)

Will be watching for more exciting posts. I'm of Irish descent...wonder if a monkey will spit water at me, too. (Well, I admit, Scots-Irish...don't want Wintermoor feeling left out.)

Glad to hear the job is going well and your talks are being well attended. 25% Irish, 25% Welsh, 50% mutt! I'm one stubborn little cus

Oh Mark what fun! Please keep us posted! Can you take pics?

Vi

Mark...sounds like a fun job. I volunteer at a national Memorial that has a "Bat" program...they have a bat count twice a year...we have many caves and old mines in our park, so it is a good place to study them. I don't get involved in the studies...I work in the Visitor's center...just talk to visitors about Coronado, and his expedition.

Roadrunner is it Mexican free-tails in your caves? or are you counting bats out of buildings?

I went behind the scenes with the gorillas at Howletts Zoo once, but there was a crowd of us and we didn't get to feed them. What a treat you had!!

Look forward to hearing all about the Black-footed Cats - can't wait, and bet you can't either....
I looked it up and found it's from southern Africa and is also known as 'the ant-hill tiger'. seems to bear a passing resemblance to the Scottish Wildcat, though more spotted. Oh, and it often uses the burrows of Spring Hares as a den, but it's not likely to find many of those near Belfast, lol. It'll spend a long time looking for the burrows of Irish hares *g*

mark: thought you might enjoy this site on the bat flight each evening from the Congress Street Bridge in downtown Austin, Texas.
http://www.batcon.org/discover/congress.html

I just came in from letting the dog have a bit of a night run and we watched about 6 bats having a feast around my driveway light. There were lots of insects and it looked like these bats had been to this buffet before.

How would I go about photographing them?I've got a 35mm SLR,tripod,flash,remote cable,telephoto lens...do I just set it all up and point it in a likely spot and fire away?These little guys are so quick that I couldn't possibly hand hold it and focus.

By the way,sounds like a great day! I've done talks on vegetables where the folks eyes glaze over after 5 minutes and then the same information gets 20 minutes of questions after...so it's just the crowd.You never know who is going to show up.

etexbill thanks for the link. I have been there sitting on the grassy back and educated people when they realised I had a bat detector.

Melody you would would end up wasting your film. Bats are photographed in a studio. I have tried so many times.

Mark what a wonderful opportunity! it is such a priveledge to be involved behind the scenes of zoos or any wildlife program. The gorillas sound really scary not sure I would that brave! :) once you find your feet and people really get to know you I bet you will have a great time. I used to warden for the rspb up at Loch Garten with the Ospresys and I always really enjoyed it.

Keep the zoo diaries coming !! :) and photos if you can.

I hope there is the possibility of the full time job once they get to know me

Nice one there Mark. That's a great wee number ye've got there. I always wanted to 'meet' a gorilla ... no real reason, I just always wanted to.


Wintermoor

I hope you do too as it will be much more you! :))

I hope you mean that is because I love to 'monkey' around ;-)


Wintermoor

Actually Wintermoor sorry I was referring to MArk getting a full time job at the zoo ! but now you mention it...!! ;)
if the shoe fits!! LOL

http://www.nps.gov/coro/mammal.htm

Mark, I called our Resident Expert, Barbara, and she told me to give you the Mammal page of Coronado National Memorial....see above. I volunteer at the Visitor's Center here one or two times a week...but I am not involved in the Bat count. She said that we could have the Mexican Free-tails, but they haven't been sighted here. Ours are counted in caves and old mines. No buildings. Jo

Psilo, it seems to somehow, or I would never have jumped at it, or even swung towards it in my tyre ;-)


Wintermoor

I figured there had to be a trick to bat photography.They're gone in a blink. They seem to be having a grand time around my light though.