Say Hello to our Summer Conservation Interns
This summer, we hosted three veterinary students as part of our Summer Conservation Intern program. They worked alongside our veterinary and animal care teams to support three conservation programs here at Houston Zoo. Read more about each of our interns and the wildlife-saving work they helped with this summer.
Meet Katie, Attwater’s Prairie Chicken Intern
As the Attwater’s prairie chicken conservation intern for summer 2024, I was given the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the husbandry and veterinary care of this amazing avian species. The Attwater’s prairie chicken is a species of grouse native to Texas that is currently listed as an endangered species. Under the mentorship of Dr. Melissa Hanson and the rest of Houston Zoo’s veterinary team, I was able to immerse myself in the exciting world of zoo medicine and veterinary research. My research project focused on mapping the microbiome, the bacterial profile of the gastrointestinal tract, for both healthy and sick prairie chickens. I accomplished this by collecting fecal samples and applying special stains to visualize the different types of bacteria present. Alongside conducting my research project, I was able to participate in clinic days that gave me the opportunity to observe procedures and practice my clinical skills for a variety of species.
As a reptile lover and avid snake nerd, the highlight of my clinic days was being able to cross “Get Blood from a Rattlesnake” off my bucket list! I am honored to have met and worked with the amazing, talented, and welcoming veterinarians, vet techs, keepers, and staff of the Houston Zoo. I have known I wanted to be a zoo veterinarian for as long as I can remember, but this internship has deepened my love for zoo medicine and reignited my passion for working with exotic animals. I am truly thankful for this incredible experience and for all those who made this summer one I will never forget.
Meet Jenna, Houston Toads Intern
This summer I had the opportunity to participate in the Houston Zoo Summer Intern Conservation program working closely with Dr. Maryanne Tocidlowski to conduct a research project concentrated on the Houston toad. The Houston toad is an endangered species located in southeastern Texas that the zoo has been working with to propagate and protect. The first study that I conducted this summer was focused on the treatment of cataracts in these toads via cataract surgery to assess whether the surgery would positively impact their quality of life in the captive assurance colony here at the zoo. This would help determine if this is a viable treatment option for the toads moving forward. The second study that I conducted was a retrospective review of medical records of the Houston toads at the zoo to identify common causes and evaluate the treatment efficacy of prolapses, which is a relatively common medical presentation in these toads.
Throughout the summer I was also able to work with the Houston toad keepers to learn about and participate in the husbandry of these animals. Along with my time spent with the Houston toads, I have been able to experience various other aspects of the zoo veterinary field including shadowing the vets while they are performing various procedures, completing numerous exams, diagnostics, and treatments, and participating in daily rounds. I also had the opportunity to work with the elephant keepers and the Attwater’s prairie chicken keepers in order to learn about their husbandry needs and their respective conservation programs. This summer has proven to be invaluable in the pursuit of my future career as a zoo veterinarian and I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the amazing vet staff at the zoo and contribute even a small part towards the conservation of these animals.
Meet Abigail, EEHV (Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus) Intern
Although we stand to learn immensely from all animals (especially our friends at Houston Zoo), elephants have always held a special place in my heart. I was three years old when I first discovered this passion for proboscideans, but my love for elephants only continues to grow. This summer, I was granted the opportunity to experience my lifelong dream of working alongside expert elephant caretakers and veterinary staff.
As an EEHV intern, I spent the majority of my time with Dr. Paul Ling and his lab at Baylor College of Medicine, compiling existing serology data into a nationwide seroprevalence study. I learned how to run assays that Dr. Ling and his team developed to detect antibodies against various EEHV types. The nobility and unique skillset of these individuals has proven that it is really is possible to change the world.
Another highlight of my summer has been tagging along with the elephant team and participating in their daily husbandry duties. My three-year-old self would be ecstatic to know that I have become a proficient elephant poop scooper, and it has truly been an enormous honor witnessing the keepers’ unabating dedication and love for our Asian elephant herd. I have had the pleasure of assisting with elephant phlebotomy, CBC analyses, and deciphering elephant behavior. Of course, I was also lucky enough to witness the incredible Dr. Christine Molter administer the very first EEHV mRNA vaccine on Tess! I am inspired by the tenacity of every team member required to bring this enormous feat to fruition. Despite being but a well-timed bystander to their fifteen strenuous years of labor, I will carry this message of resilience and collaboration into my future career!
Working with elephants has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and I still cannot believe how lucky I am to have spent my summer at Houston Zoo, learning from some of the most passionate, genuine, and knowledgeable professionals at the forefront of animal health. Everyone here represents the epitome of excellence, and their willingness to mentor is a testament to their pure hearts and sound character. I have witnessed just a fraction of the many hats worn by this one-of-kind community, and they wear these hats well. I hope to one day follow in their footsteps and aspire to make meaningful contributions to elephant conservation! Thank you, Houston Zoo!
