As the summer begins to wane and the zoo begins to prepare for its Bacon and Brew event, it seems that it is only getting busier across the zoo’s campus. The staff often talks about what we plan to accomplish once things slow down a bit. The funny thing is that time never seems to come.

If there is a lull, there is always something more to come right around the corner. It may be the birth of a new animal, a health issue of an existing animal, or some other animal-related need or crisis. Besides the animals, there are the people. Whether it is staff or guests, there are always matters that need to be dealt with. And finally, if all is going well with the animals and the people, there are always the facilities that will throw us a curve ball when we least expect it. Regardless, there is always something to come up that will make that lull for catching up just a pipe dream.

For much of the year, we are a small close-knit staff working together in a small office area. We work as a team so when something comes up with an animal, people, or even facilities everyone is in the loop. Different issues are managed by each with their specialty in that area, but the team is there to help carry the water if or when needed. We all have our respective areas of responsibility and somehow it seems each are running in a variety of directions putting out fires and managing the day-to-day business of the zoo.

There are high points and there are frustrations that come along with working in a zoo like anywhere else. The recent birth of a healthy giraffe is a high point, but it doesn’t take long for the tables to turn with something else coming up demanding your immediate attention. It may be a freezer not working correctly, threatening thousands of dollars of meat for the large cats or an animal needing medical attention. Either way, immediate action is needed, and attention is shifted toward the most critical need at the time. It can sometimes seem exhausting but frankly it is a pace that we somehow grow accustomed to. The description of, never a dull moment, couldn’t be more accurate when describing life working in a zoo.

Often work in the zoo is a hurry-up and wait game. Whether an issue arises around animals, people, or facilities it is immediately addressed, but may take time for results to take place. So, we move on to the next issue while we wait on the first and so on to keep everything moving forward. It sounds exhausting, but it is also exhilarating. So as we prepare for the Bacon and Brew event Thursday evening, it is work but it also provides a smidge of down time to visit with guests and celebrate all that has been accomplished along with looking forward to those yet to be.