The Minnesota Zoo has a head-starting program for wood turtles, a threatened species due to habitat loss, road kills, and predators. The program involves incubating turtle eggs, hatching them, and then releasing them back into their natural habitat. They also partner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to monitor wood turtle populations using telemetry and field surveys. The data collected will create a habitat management plan to support wood turtle populations.
One intern, Brendan Lewis, studies human ecology, herpetology, and wildlife and works with wood turtles at the Zoo. He is learning how science is done and is excited to be able to start doing important conservation work without needing a Ph.D.
Three other interns, Bella Maiwurm, Katy Molina, and Amaya Thomas, are working on raising endangered butterflies as part of the Pollinator Conservation Initiative at the Zoo. They are responsible for monitoring the butterflies’ lifecycles and providing fresh food. The butterflies are then released into their native habitat in Minnesota and Michigan to help repopulate the species.
All of the interns at the Zoo work closely with their mentors and are encouraged to ask questions and learn as much as possible. They can use various tools and techniques in their work, including radio telemetry and tagging turtles and paintbrushes to handle tiny butterflies.
The Zoo greatly values the work of their interns and acknowledges that they are essential to their conservation efforts. Without their help, they could not raise as many endangered butterflies or gather important data on wood turtle populations.
Internship opportunities at the Minnesota Zoo are made possible through the support of the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation and the Minnesota Zoo Foundation.
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Summary:
1. The Minnesota Zoo has a program for interns to work on conservation projects for endangered species.
2. Brendan Lewis is an intern working on the head-starting program for wood turtles.
3. Bella Maiwurm, Katy Molina, and Amaya Thomas are interns working on raising endangered butterflies.
4. The interns are gaining hands-on experience and learning about conservation science.
5. The Minnesota Zoo values their interns’ and student workers’ work and contributions.
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The Minnesota Zoo is known for its dedication to conservation and protecting endangered species. One of the ways they accomplish this is through their intern program, where students can work on important conservation projects. These projects not only provide valuable hands-on experience for the interns, but they also contribute to the preservation of various species. This article will focus on the unique and fascinating aspects of the Minnesota Zoo’s indispensable interns and their work in the field, wetlands, and lab.
Brendan Lewis, an undergraduate studying human ecology, herpetology, and wildlife at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, is one of the interns at the Minnesota Zoo. Brendan is working on the head-starting program for wood turtles, a threatened species in the state. Wood turtles face multiple challenges, including habitat loss, road kills, and predators. The head-starting program aims to increase the survival rate of juvenile turtles by incubating their eggs, hatching them, and giving them a head start on a healthy life before releasing them back into their natural habitat. Brendan’s role involves waiting for wood turtles to make nests and lay eggs, then collecting them and bringing them back to the Zoo for incubation and growth. Through this experience, Brendan is learning firsthand about the challenges faced by endangered species and the importance of conservation efforts.
The Minnesota Zoo also has a Pollinator Conservation Initiative, which focuses on raising endangered butterflies. Bella Maiwurm, Katy Molina, and Amaya Thomas are interns working on this project. Their work involves rearing and monitoring the breeding of Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling butterflies in a lab at the Zoo. These critically endangered native butterflies are nurtured during their delicate caterpillar stages so they can be released as adults into their native prairie habitat in Minnesota and Michigan. Bella, Katy, and Amaya are responsible for monitoring, recording data, and providing fresh food for hundreds of butterflies in the early stage of development. This demanding and time-sensitive work keeps the interns busy, but they find it incredibly rewarding.
Bella, in particular, confesses that she didn’t expect to become attached to invertebrate animals like butterflies. Still, through her experience at the Zoo, she has developed a new appreciation for them. The interns have memorized many butterflies’ tag numbers and formed a special connection with them. For example, they fondly remember the Dakota skipper they nicknamed “Good Girl,” the only survivor from her lineage and the hope for the species’ future. Katy, an international student from El Salvador, didn’t have much experience with invertebrates before this internship, but she quickly adapted and became an important team member. Amaya, returning to the Zoo after interning last year, uses this summer’s work with Poweshiek skipperlings for her undergraduate honors thesis at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. She is studying the egg-laying behavior of these endangered butterflies and observing the characteristics of their habitat that may contribute to the survival of their offspring.
One common thread among all the interns is their passion for conservation science. They are motivated to make a difference and contribute to species recovery, even as undergraduates. Brendan, the wood turtle intern, recognizes that he doesn’t need a Ph.D. to start making a meaningful impact on conservation. The Minnesota Zoo allows him to see how science is done and to learn through hands-on experience.
The interns at the Minnesota Zoo are gaining valuable skills and knowledge through their work, but it’s not just about the technical aspects. The culture of the Conservation Department encourages curiosity and fosters a deep, constant desire to learn. The interns are encouraged to ask questions, and their mentors patiently answer them, never treating their questions as dumb or unimportant. Whether knee-deep in a river, tending to tanks of mussels, or feeding caterpillars, the interns constantly learn and feel like they are part of the team. The staff at the Zoo recognizes the importance of these interns and student workers in their conservation efforts. Without their help, raising endangered butterflies for reintroduction in the wild would be much more challenging. Every individual insect counts for preventing extinction and contributing to the recovery of endangered species.
Dr. Seth Stapleton, the Zoo’s Director of Conservation and Research, emphasizes the importance of students in their work. He is grateful for the quality and quantity of work the interns contribute and acknowledges that they are essential to the success of their projects. The Zoo’s intern program aims to provide a well-rounded experience for the students and expose them to all aspects of conservation science. The staff looks for excitement, enthusiasm for science, and a willingness to learn. The interns are the next generation of conservation scientists, and the Zoo is committed to equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to make a lasting impact on wildlife preservation.
In conclusion, the Minnesota Zoo’s intern program plays a vital role in conservation efforts, allowing students to gain hands-on experience, contribute to important projects, and learn about the challenges faced by endangered species. The interns working on the wood turtle head-starting program and the butterfly conservation initiative are just a few examples of the incredible work being done at the Zoo. These interns are not only acquiring technical skills, but they are also developing a deep passion for conservation science. The Minnesota Zoo values the work and contributions of its interns and student workers, recognizing that they are essential to the success of their conservation efforts. The real-world experience and mentorship provided by the Zoo’s staff shape the interns’ futures in the conservation field and empower them to make a difference in the world of wildlife preservation.
