So I thought Davis week was awesome, all of the second years left for their trip to Northern California and we got to take care of their animals while they were away. I got to take care of Friday the racoon, Bennie the Capuching monkey, Sierra the dog, and also the troop of 7 Capuchin monkeys. I had so much fun taking care of all my animals and was definately sad to leave them when the second years came back. I definately got very attatched to them and can't wait until we get animal assignments and I get to ask for them again.
.:Friday the cutest Racoon ever!!!:.
.:Sierra the Beagle mix whom I love!!!:.
.:Bennie the very old but very sweet Capuchin monkey:.So eventhough for some of us Davis week went very well our class did go through a very sad tragedy. Our Sea Lion Schmoo fell very ill and would not eat due to complications of old age. In the middle of the week the staff decided it was time to put her down. Schmoo was definately a legend at EATM and some students have even came here just to work with her. She was known for teaching the students rather than the other way around. Our class was also very upset especially because her trainers did got get the chance to see her or be with her before this decision was made, however some of her old trainers from past years did show up and lended her and all of us their support. I, myself was very attatched to Schmoo eventhough I barely got to do anything with her besides just watch her in her enclosure, but I definately hoped and wished to eventually work with her. She will definately be missed and always remembered. We all love you Schmoo!
After the incident with Schmoo a lot of students started to feel really down and it was really important for us to support each other. By the time Projects week rolled around I think even due to some mixture of exhaustion, frustration, and upsetting circumstances for the most part Projects week went a lot more smoothly and successfully. During this week I got to work with some birds. Zeta the red-crested Turaco, Cookie the African Gray, and Rodan the green-winged macaw. I had a lot more fun in this area than I initially thought I would. It way fun learning how to take care of these birds and be able to take some of them out and ask behaviors. Ofcourse there were the occassional bites and what not but nothing too bad.
.:Cookie the African Gray:.
.:Zeta the Red-crested Turaco:.Despite some scheduling problems and just a completely hectic weekend our Boo at the Zoo fundraiser was incredibly successful! We made about 3 times as much money as we ever had! Our guests definately seemed to have fun playing the kiddie games, watching some halloween themed shows, interacting with some creepy crawlies and so much more. As you can see some of us relieved our stress by eating leftover candies and treats and playing in some of the kiddie games. As you can see I enjoyed the foraging for candy game most:)
Well a lot has definately happened and I feel I've learned so much and I can't believe this is still only the start of what Im going to be able to learn and do here. I'm so excited for what is coming next semester and all the things I am going to achieve at the end of this one. So here are some other pictures of some more animals I got the chance to interact with.
.:Paco the white-nosed Coati:.
.:Darwin one of our Sugar Gliders:.
.:Handling Darwim in one of our shows:. 
