Volume 11, Number 4, 2003
What does a two-toed sloth like to eat? Just ask Nick Heindl, AG 2004, who served as a chef to sloths, golden lion tamarins, red-bellied piranhas, poison dart frogs and what he describes as "bunches and bunches of birds" at the Tropical Rain Forest Exhibit at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
Heindl was chosen for a 2003 Winter Session aviculture internship at the nationally recognized exhibit, which is housed in a soaring, glass-walled room at the very top of the aquarium. And, although the internship focused on avians, he was given the opportunity to learn about every living thing in the lush replica of a Central/South American rain forest.
The wildlife conservation major spent a good portion of his time in a behind-the-scenes kitchen, where he gained knowledge of the dietary requirements and metabolic needs of the exhibit's 1,300 amphibians, 100 reptiles, 70 birds, 35 fish, four mammals and countless invertebrates. There, he worked side by side with the exhibit's eight full-time staff members, who he says always were eager to answer questions and willing to help.
"My supervisors said they would never ask me to do something that they wouldn't do themselves," Heindl says. "I was given the opportunity to get involved in virtually every aspect of the exhibit." His access even extended to the exhibit curator's personal library, where he was allowed to do research after his regular duties were completed.
"It was great to go out and experience what work is like in my area of interest," Heindl says. "You won't know if you'll be happy with something until you get out in the field and see for yourself."
He says the only drawback to his internship was its location in a bustling city. He grew up on two acres in a "nice, quiet area" in Easton, Pa., and especially enjoyed camping out on land that his family owns in the Adirondacks. He knew from an early age that he wanted a job that would be "hands-on" and tap into his love of nature, he says.
One of the nicest surprises of his tropical rain forest internship, Heindl says, was taking on the informal role of exhibit educator.
"It wasn't part of my job description, but I was allowed to answer questions from students and other visitors," he says. "It wasn't designed to be an education internship, but I really enjoyed interacting with the public, and as a result, I could see myself working in some type of wildlife educational role."
Although the unpaid internship "cost more than I want to think about" in gas money, tolls and parking, Heindl says the experience was invaluable and confirmed that he's on the right career path.
"When I was out at the aquarium, I was doing what I love and what makes me happy," he says. "I'm in a great major with a range of career options. I could go into animal husbandry or end up being a park ranger. I love it all and now know that I definitely want to work in wildlife conservation."
So, what does a two-toed sloth like to eat? Lettuce, shoots and fruits, says Heindl, who now can add "avian and animal chef" to his résumé.
-Margo McDonough, AS '86, '95M