Zoo Keeping: Sombody's Got To Do It by Al Ratcliffe
CBS 42 News 2007-11-06 13:13:27.0
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What do you think of when you think of a trip to the zoo? What about the people who keep the animals happy and healthy? They've got an important job to do too, and at times it can be downright dirty.
Zoo animals are cute and cuddly and all sorts of different things. But they all have one thing in common: They need people to make sure all of their needs are met. And in some cases that means a task that somebody's got to do.
Zoo Keeper Will Ratcliffe tends to zebras, giraffes and other African savannah animals five days a week 50 weeks a year. And one of his most important jobs is making sure everybody gets enough to eat. And his animals can eat a lot, which means something else happens a lot.
That's right, what goes in one end must come out the other, which leads to another of his most important tasks.
"This is probably the most regular dirty part of my job. It's definitely the most smelly part of my job," said Will.
Will is a professional “pooper scooper,” not a career the 30 year old Harvard graduate planned on.
"I planned on a long career in the CIA as a spook."
But he does have plenty of scoop experience on his resume.
"Went to work at one of my dreams as a cowboy in Colorado for two years," said Will.
Yes, parts of his job are very dusty, grimy, mucky or what ever word you choose to use, but it serves a very important purpose.
"So the more often we clean, the more healthy it is for the animals. It's actually a USDA regulation that we keep any barns and paddocks and exhibits clean daily," said Will.
And yes, he does really love what he does.
"I've bounced around, but I keep coming back to a love for animals and just the joy of working with them every day," said Will.
He also enjoys teaching. And on this day, he gets to teach Al how to be a good poop scooper.
Will rakes, Al rakes. Will scoops, Al scoops. Will told Al, “You kind of dorked the pile.” So it starts again.
"Now the trick to scooping poo is the follow through,” said Will.
The job isn't just scoops and rakes. Will also trains the animals he works with and takes care of the exhibits themselves. And he even has to keep with his own continuing education.
Currently, he and other keepers are building a new exhibit for Red River hogs. The new swine are from Africa and have no relation to the Red River that runs through the southern U.S.
He also enjoys teaching. And on this day, he gets to teach Al how to be a good poop scooper.