Some very wonderful things have happened in my life and there's one place I have to thank for the best of them: the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. It's where I had my most favorite job, where I learned that there are other people who are passionate about conservation, where my friendship with my best friend grew, where I met my partner, and where I got my master's degree. It's astonishing to think how different my life might be if not for this incredible place.
If I remember correctly, this was my favorite giraffe, Chinde. (2009)
In 2009 I got laid off from my first post-college job. The financial recession was in full swing, and I applied for a temporary position at the zoo (the actual zoo, I thought) figuring why not? I was unemployed and loved wildlife, so working at a zoo seemed like it might be fun. But I had hoped I'd have a better, real job before my interview.
I didn't, and went to the interview. I learned what the job actually was, since it wasn't clear in the job description, and was so excited. I got the job and spent the next 5 months driving a truck full of people into the 100-acre open space exhibits, where giraffe, rhino, gazelle, and birds freely roamed together. Occasionally a rhino or giraffe would approach my window and take pets. My days were spent in "Africa", looking at the incredible landscapes and stunning wildlife. As a perk, I could bring friends and family when there was open space, and took my best friend a few times. Years later we still spend our Sundays at the zoo, walking around and chatting about life among the animals.
My Safari Park coworkers taught me that it's not just OK to be passionate about conservation, but that you can have a career in conservation. For the first time in my life I felt at home with the people I worked with, like I wasn't so different and so weird. I learned that I needed to seek out people like them, and I'm happy now that I have a strong network of passionate conservationists.
When conservationists find a tarantula in the desert. (2017)
It was that spark that made me apply for the Advanced Inquiry Program, provided jointly through San Diego Zoo Global. There I met a couple dozen new people who were equally passionate about wildlife, conservation, and inspiring the next generation. I learned from people who are working in their fields, researched issues that are important to me, spoke with people around the world about conservation, and even went to Africa. In the end, it led to a job with a major non-profit conservation organization, and I couldn't be happier.
Ready to run! In my awful high school gym shorts! (2011)
The Safari Park was the location and the reason for running my first half marathon. I had never run so much as a 5K but had been getting into the idea of running for exercise. This half marathon was cheap compared to the others I had heard of and the proceeds were to build a new tiger exhibit. It was a bit of a cluster, but I ran faster than I had trained and felt so proud that I could finish. I've since done several others, including a couple others at the Safari Park, but that was the best (even though it's no longer my fastest). I still carry a souvenir keychain that is one of my most prized possessions. I'm more into running these days and credit that race.
On Skyfari during one of our zoo visits in 2013.
It was also where I met a friend, who became The Boyfriend, who became The Fiancé. He and my best friend came to my graduation reception, held of course at the Safari Park, overlooking the same exhibit I drove the truck 10 years ago in my most favorite job. I often think about how different my life might be if it wasn't for that temporary job at the Safari Park.
Thank you, San Diego Zoo Safari Park (or Wild Animal Park, which I still can't stop saying).
