As a Busch Gardens Adventure Camp counselor, Katie Timko saw first-hand the bond between zookeepers and the animals in their care. Now, she's making her own connections with some of the world's largest land mammals, working with the elephants at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
What kind of educational background do you have to be able to work with animals?
In high school I took every science class I could, especially anything related to animals. At Michigan State University, I earned a BS in Zoology, Animal Behavior and Evolutionary Biology.
What's a typical day like for you?
We try to make every day special and exciting for our elephants. That makes every day different for the people, too! But every day includes giving each elephant one-on-one attention, feeding, cleaning, educating our park guests and, of course, more feeding.
What exciting locales have you visited in your work with animals?
Through the support of the SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund and the Earthwatch Institute, I traveled to Kenya, Africa to participate in the Saving Sweetwaters' Rhinos Expedition, a research project designed to investigate the ecosystem of Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy. By better understanding the ecosystem, we better understand how to protect the resident black rhinos, elephants and other endangered species!
What would you tell kids to do or think about if they are considering a career with animals?
I would encourage anyone thinking about a career with animals to dive into any science classes available. Also, try to get hands-on experience. While I have a great time at my job, I also work very hard and it can get pretty messy. Nothing compares to cleaning up after an elephant, but volunteering at a local zoo, animal shelter, horse stable or veterinarian will help you decide if you are up for the challenge.
Please talk about your experience with camps at Busch Gardens?
During college, I spent three summers as a Senior Counselor with the Busch Gardens Resident Adventure Camp. The experience changed my life! Before my time at Adventure Camp, I was sure I was going to be a veterinarian. But as a counselor, I worked closely with the zoo staff on a daily basis. I was amazed at the close relationship between the trainers and the animals, and I knew I wanted to experience that rewarding relationship for myself.
