Summer has been treating us well here in the Transportation Department at the San Diego Zoo. Our brand-new bus depot is coming along great and is scheduled for completion in the fall. But what is it like for those of us lucky enough to be a tour guide here at the Zoo?

The Transportation Department will roll out about 70 tours on a busy day, compared to about 25 in the off season. You’ve seen them: they’re those big double-decked busses that drive all over the Zoo. As guides, we act as Zoo ambassadors in many ways since scores of guests will embark on a tour when they first arrive at the Zoo. Our job is to help our guests not feel so overwhelmed. The Zoo’s 100 acres and nearly 4,000 animals can seem quite intimidating for those who may be visiting for the very first time. We cruise around the Zoo attempting to make it seem more manageable.

But what I love most is seeing the people smile when they learn something new about their favorite animals. It is our privilege to educate our visitors by telling them all sorts of fun facts about the animals. Like, did you know that a zebra really has black skin and white stripes? Or that our keepers remove five heaping wheelbarrows full of elephant poop each day? We love bringing our guests closer to the animals. It’s what we do!

People often say that Transportation Department employees act as the eyes and ears of the San Diego Zoo. We see these plants and animals every day and it’s our job to teach people that this world is our home, a dynamic and beautiful planet that we share with wonderful creatures, not always cute and cuddly, but a place that is worth preserving. And it is all of our hopes that once you take a tour with us, you’ll share in our passion and delight.

Adam Segal is a bus operator/guide at the San Diego Zoo.

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