Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. However, I currently reside in Durham, North Carolina.

What’s your position at CROW and how long are you here for?

I am a Wildlife Care Extern, which means I’m involved in administering treatments, prepping diets, and setting up cages for our patients. I started on June 11th and will be here for 2.5 months.

What’s your favorite part of your internship?

My favorite part has surprisingly been the friends I’ve made along the way!

Favorite role in the hospital?

My favorite role has been Intake A. That’s where I am able to perform physical exams alongside the doctors and gain a better understanding of what to look for.

Favorite animal and why?

In general, my favorite animal is a cheetah because of how unique they are. They are the fastest land animal in the world and, instead of roaring, they actually make chirping noises. At the clinic, my favorite animal has to be a brown pelican because of their sassy personalities.

What’s your most memorable CROW moment so far?

The most memorable moment has been restraining a brown pelican for an intake exam. This animal was found with a treble hook puncturing its pouch, another lodged in its foot, and fishing line wrapped around its body. As I was restraining, the doctors used wire cutters to detach the hooks from the pelican. As pieces were flying and the line was unraveling, I could tell the pelican was finally feeling some much-needed relief.

What activities or hobbies do you enjoy outside of CROW?

On my days off, I enjoy going to the beach and painting. I also like doing puzzles and playing card games with my friends.

What has been the most surprising thing during your time here?

I never realized how much care differs across species of birds. Seabirds need tub time to encourage waterproofing and condition muscles. Raptors require tail guards in order to protect their tail feathers from breaking. Songbirds typically need soft, padded enclosures to prevent injury, and branches to encourage natural perching behaviors.

What are some goals or aspirations for the future?

I want to be a wildlife/zoo veterinarian. This would be my second time applying to vet school, and I hope to get into NC State — my in-state school. They have the Carnivore Conservation Crew, where students are involved in the husbandry and medical care of the endangered red wolves. Conservation is super important to me, so I would love the opportunity to be involved in these efforts. my ultimate goal is to work in cheetah conservation.