John G. Shedd Aquarium Fall InternshipBecky Kunkel

SummaryWhat

Marine Mammal InternshipWhen

September 14th – February 13th

WhereShedd Aquarium, Chicago IL

WhyOne of the top animal internships in the nationTo work with Ken RamirezTo learn training the “Shedd way”

Schedule2 Days of OrientationMinimum of 35 hours a week

With commute, over 40 hours a weekAll interns worked different days, but schedule stayed

the same1 am shift (6:30am - 1:30pm)1 pm shift (12:30pm – 7:30pm1 12 hour shift (6:30am – 7:30pm with a half hour lunch)1 overnight shift (6:30pm – 12:30am, or 12:00am –

7:00am)Shifts broken down into half hour chunks

Duties (what’s on paper)55% cleaning

Animal habitatsCommunity areas

25% diet preparationPrimarily during the morning shift

5% data collectionPregnancy observations on belugas, then calf observations

5% public interactionAnswering questions when in public areas

5% projectData collection and observation on an animal of our choice

Duties (what I actually did) 55% cleaning

Scrubbing algae from habitats Scrubbing sea lion reserve Cleaning the MM kitchen (AM and PM) Locker rooms/bathrooms Common areas Office

25% diet preparation 4 hours of sorting fish, weighing and bucketing for all 7 whales, 3 dolphins, 3

sea lions, and 5 otters (and the sharks and Wild Reef) 5% data collection

Night shift (7 hours of minute by minute data collection on pregnant whales) 5% public interaction

Show set up and breakdown, and assisting in training sessions 5% project

You can choose an animal from a list that they provide

Training Whistles for experienced staff, point bridge for newer staffFish as primary R+, variety of secondaries Interns had to be “cleared” on behaviors

Guest behaviors Vocalization Spin Spyhop High hand target Spit

Husbandry behaviors Tongue/gum rub Rubs Blood “draws” Ultrasounds

Advanced Point bridge Basic feed A to B’s Target stick

Staff TrainingEach trainer “trained” on individual basis

Long list of skills needed to master for EACH animal

Time to “build relationships” (rappoire)Skill is mastered when trainer demonstrates:

Verbal behavior (oral and written) Skill itself

Takes years to earn training freedomSenior trainers have been there 10+ years

DifficultiesExhaustion

No breaks except on 12 hour dayDay is 90% manual labor

Short tempersMistakes were sometimes corrected harshlyVery high levels of professionalism

Communication between staff and interns needed workWeekly staff meeting notes were not passed onto interns

No time to discuss training techniquesStaff not receptive to discussions about ORCA’s research

What I lovedEverything in its place

Incredibly organizedNo slackers

Everyone works hard, and helps outPassionate people

Everyone loves what they doTwo births

3391

Good timesWe cut loose…. A lot!

Ken Ramirez Fun FactsHistory of acting

TheaterVoiceovers

Christmas PartyWhite House guestOpen Door Policy

Available majority of timeStaff meetings

Family man

ProjectKayavak

10 year old adult beluga whaleHand raised from 6 months of ageOutgoing, solicits attention

ProjectPeer aggressionMating behaviors

However…No control over variables

Ethogram

Ethogram

Project Results

16% 2

10%

324%

428%

Whale harbor gate7%

Granite Island

walkway1%

Grainger encounter gate6%

IM gate8%

Buckwheat pass walkway

10%

Locations

Vertical11%

Horizontal82%

Out of View7%

Positions

Project Results

Slow Swim61%

Fast Swim0%

Drift at Surface20%

Drift at Middle15%

Drift at Bottom0%

Obstructed View4%

Activity

Mating0%

Vocalization47%

Respiration8%

Blowing Bubbles5%

Contact Swim0%

Rub5%

Piggybacking0%

Push0%

Pull0%

Spit0%

Mouthing16%

Mouth Open11%

Jawpopping0%

Head Thrust8%

Bite0%

Chase0%

Strike0%Behaviors

Project Results

Human21%

Nonhuman79%

Interaction

Human60%

Nonhuman40%

Attention

What I LearnedExciting (but stressful) times for Shedd

Transitional period Dog show ended, dogs finding new homes New show + 2 pregnant whales = stressed staff

Animal contact minimalOur group had even less training time than interns before

usIncredibly physically demanding

No breaksLong hours (expected to show up early/stay late if needed)Always movingInterns work harder than staff (even Ken said it)

HoweverOverall, a positive experienceI recommend this internship for those that

are strong willed and strong bodied!Very much worth it, once in a lifetime

experience!