Wild Days kick off this weekend with Penguin Lovers’ Weekend (Jan.24-25), a cool weekend sprinkled with fun facts about our feathered friends and many other animals. This first weekend features SeaWorld’s Animal Ambassador Julie Scardina, who will share stories about her lifelong love of animals and the parks’ commitment to wildlife conservation.
I was able to sit down and have a Q&A session with Julie to get to know her better. Check out some of the things we talked about:
Q: What motivated you to start a career in the world of animal care and conversation?
A: I have always loved animals and wanted to work with them as far back as I can remember. Getting my first real job with animals at SeaWorld was a dream come true. It was through this exposure of working with different animals that grew my passion for conservation.
When people come up to me to tell me they were inspired to become educators, researchers, veterinarians, conservationists, wildlife rehabbers and other careers because they were motivated by our animals and presentations, I know how important it is to get the message out.
Q: What is your favorite thing about penguins?
A: Penguins are very self-sufficient. When I was in Antarctica, chicks that were probably just about a month old were walking around on their own or in groups with a determination and sense of purpose that astounded me. Chicks seem so fragile, but in reality, they are amazing survivors.
Q: What is it like being an Animal Ambassador for SeaWorld?
A: I absolutely love being animal ambassador for SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove. I feel I have had a great impact on helping people connect with animals and conservation by showing off the animals’ wonderful capabilities and addressing the challenges they face today. I love challenging kids to continue to learn in order to move from being “animal lovers” to “conservationists.”
Q: What is your advice for those who are looking to start a career in this field?
A: It all starts with a love for animals, but it needs to become way more than that. Studying, experiencing, and eventually gaining expertise in a wide variety of subjects is needed to be the best advocate for animals. The basics are knowing biology (zoology, marine biology, physiology, etc.), behavior (psychology, ethnology, behavior modification principles) and environmental sciences in order to understand the whole picture of how life on this planet works.
Adding in knowledge of how humans impact our world (both positively and negatively) should give everyone a good starting point. Book knowledge is great, but you need to see what happens in the real world. Travel and engage with the leaders in the fields you are interested in. Then, become the best at what you want to specialize in.
I specialized in animal behavior initially, but then branched off to conservation. It's all important and it all relates to caring for animals in the best way possible, both in zoological facilities and in the wild.
Q: What can we look forward to this weekend for your Penguin Lovers’ Weekend show at Wild Days?
A: This year's show has different animals and some fun avian activity. Last year we heard you wanted even more penguins, so we have included a special surprise at the end of the show! (Did someone say penguin chick!? Shhh, don't tell!)
Wild Days helps create powerful animal connections that will inspire you to take care of the natural world we share. From interactive shows to up-close animal encounters, this year’s line-up includes a wide array of exciting opportunities for everyone, giving way to make memories that will last all throughout the year.
Make sure to check out Julie Scardina this Saturday and Sunday during Pengun Lovers' Weekend, the first of three wild weekends. Wild Days is included in park admission, Annual Pass or Fun Card. For the best deals for you, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.
Join the conversation by liking us on Facebook, following us on Instagram, and tagging your photos with #SeaWorld and #WildDays.