The Zookeeper’s Life: Jordan Taylor ’14

Senior biology major Jordan Taylor got a taste of life as a zookeeper thanks to an internship at the Charles Towne Landing State Park during the summer of 2013. She was responsible for the daily maintenance of the animals and their habitats, roving the zoo, and educating guests.  She was also actively involved in preparation of special diets, enrichment, and habitat design of the Red Wolf, an endangered species.

Jordan was assigned the special task of caring for the quarantined animals that were brought into the zoo.  Not only did she design daily diets and bottle feed young deer, she was also responsible for quarantine exposure and checks with the animals which included baby deer and opossums.

“This experience was very enriching for me. The daily routine of animal care and uptake taught me to be consistent and responsible while the specialized duties gave me the opportunity to express and enhance my creativity.”

The internship granted Jordan a well-rounded look at the historical, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of the zoo, and helped her fully understand the impact humanity has on the natural animal populations of South Carolina.

“This experience was very dynamic and I would definitely do it again. I look forward to engaging in many more experiences like this one and would recommend this internship to others.”