day. Make sure they have a new toy or something
to play with, mainly puzzles. You put cheerios inside
the puzzle and they have to figure the puzzle out to
open it and get the cheerios. This keeps their mental
status good and strong. For the cats it's all about
meat. We usually give them frozen meat. We take
an ice cube tray, put meat in it and freeze it. They
spend about a couple of hours licking on it to get to
the meat. So that's like a two or three hour toy for
them."
So what does it take to become a Jungle Josh?
"The number 1 question I get is 'do you have a
Zoology degree'?" Jungle Josh said. "I think because
the 'zoo' is in the word. But Zoology is the study
of animal behavior. Most people who work in a
zoo have a degree in Wildlife Biology. So if you are
going to college and want to work at a zoo I would
recommend a degree in Wildlife Biology or Wildlife
Conservation Management. But aside from that, the
biggest thing you can do is volunteer. Find your local
zoo and volunteer. And when you get your degree, I
guarantee that zoo will scoop you right up."
Jungle Josh is quick to encourage young people to
enter the career. "I've been around the
world to 20 different countries through
my time in the military," Jungle Josh said.
"I loved seeing the world, but this job I
get to do is the most amazing experience I've ever
have had. Twenty minutes ago I had an anteater
hanging off of my arm, and before that I was petting
a tiger."
But the thing he really loves is getting to show
children animals that they have only seen on TV or
in books. "Getting these folks who have never seen
a zebra in their life and letting them get up close
to one and pet it, it's just an amazing experience,"
Jungle Josh said. "It sounds corny, but that is the
best part of my job."
santa's safari
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the only one with animals! take a 45-minute
guided tour thru the lights and animals with one of
santa's helpers. You'll also get to meet
some of santa's real live reindeer!
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