Busch Gardens Tampa

Tampa: Join BG's Animal Keepers as We Bowl for Rhinos!

Lauren Skowyra — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:45:34 +0000

If you live in the Tampa area and you love animals as much as we do, your support of AAZK’s Bowling For Rhinos program can make a difference in worldwide conservation. Bowling for Rhinos is a family friendly event that is organized by your local zookeepers.

BOWLING FOR RHINOS

WHEN: May 25, 2012

WHERE: PinChasers (4847 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL), 6:30 p.m. -11.pm.

About Bowling for Rhinos:

The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) sponsors an annual fundraiser called “Bowling For Rhinos” (BFR). Nationally, we have raised $4 million since 1990 to support three conservation projects. BFR funds support Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park and Way Kambas in Sumatra.
These sanctuaries not only save rhinos but also these entire ecosystems! 100 percent of all funds raised goes directly into conservation projects. These funds help to fence in the parks, purchase planes and off road vehicles to curtail poaching, move rhinos into the sanctuaries, purchase motion sensing cameras for censuring, and pay salaries for anti-poaching security guards.
More than 65 AAZK chapters participate throughout the US and Canada raising over $300,000 annually. Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay AAZK Chapter’s BFR was a huge success last year because of the zoo keepers and the communities’ commitment to conserving rhinos and their habitat. At the 2011 Bowling for Rhinos we raised $5,000, which brings our total funds raised to date to $49,843.

Join Busch Gardens Animal Keepers as they Bowl for Rhinos

Why Save the Rhinos?

Rhinos are only endangered because of illegal poaching for their horns! Rhinos have lived on earth for over 50 million years but whether they survive even 50 more years is open to speculation.
Only 5 species of rhino exist today when once there were over 100 species. Four of the five species are endangered; the Black, the Greater One-horned, the Sumatran and the Javan. Only the white rhino with a population of 20,150 has been moved off the Endangered Species List and onto the Threatened List. In 1960, 60,000 black rhinos roamed Africa.
Today only 4,860 remain in isolated populations. On the Asian continent, the Greater One-horned rhino population remains at 2,850.
The Sumatran numbers are 200 and the Javan numbers are approximately 47 individuals left. Rhinos need our help! As of May 2012, 210 rhinos have been poached. Experts predict close to 600 rhinos will be poached this year!

For more information on this event, please visit the Tampa Bay AAZK Chapter’s website

Please watch our Bowling for Rhino’s video created by Jennifer MacNaughton, our very own Tampa Bay AAZK Chapter member!

Photos and story by BGT team members Sara Wunder and Jennifer McNaughton

Are You Ready for Island Nights?

Lauren Skowyra — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:43:39 +0000

Enjoy island music, entertainment and food three nights a week and play late every night this summer at Adventure Island, Busch Gardens’ waterpark.

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 5 to 9 p.m. exotic birds and larger-than-life stilt walkers greet guests, and entertaining artisans and a steel drum band stroll throughout the park.

From June 14 to Aug. 11, it’s a vacation from the everyday as Busch Gardens’ waterpark transforms into a sunset celebration with music, authentic entertainment and inspiring cuisine.

Spike Zone! Play evening volleyball while the sun sets. It'll be hard to believe, but you're not at the beach, you're right in the heart of Tampa.

You'll find unique entertainment around every corner....

Frozen margarita, anyone? (Anyone 21 and over, that is....)

Stay tuned to our blog for more news on Island Nights!

Zoo Insider Tip: Flamingo Walks

Katie McMichen — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:44:26 +0000

The old saying is, "The early bird gets the worm…" which is very true if you come to Busch Gardens early -- because you get the unique experience of being greeted by our flock of ambassador flamingos.

Every morning our flamingos get excited and line up at the door to get ready for a lovely morning stroll thru the park. Our flamingos are so well versed with the route that the need little assistance from their keepers to show them the way.

The flock often takes a small break in the front plaza so guests can mingle and take photos. Sometimes our male Caribbean flamingo get so excited to see our guests that they will walk up and give you a bump which is their way of giving you a hug!

So when planning your trip come early so you can catch all thrills and excitement Busch Gardens has to offer. Check out these blogs to read about more Zoo Insider Tips on Open Jambo Junction & the Elephant Interaction Area.

May 27: The 1st Anniversary of Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run -- You're Invited to the Party!

Katie McMichen — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:37:32 +0000

May is a very exciting month here at Busch Gardens! The weather is great and the entire park is gearing up for the fun of Summer Nights.

The one-year anniversary of Cheetah Hunt is just around the corner, and the keepers at Cheetah Run are also excited to announce a birthday celebration for our group of female cheetahs who came to Busch Gardens in January last year. The cheetahs are all turning TWO years old and we want you to come join in the fun!

You’re Invited…

What: Cheetah Birthday Party

When: May 27, 2012 (This just so happens to be the first anniversary of Cheetah Hunt opening!)

All seven of the “girls” (as we keepers call them) were born within weeks of each other, with the first birthday on April 30 and the last on May 28. So instead of doing seven different birthday parties over the course of a month, we keepers decided to “go big” and celebrate them in all at one big party.

We are planning on having festivities throughout the day leading up to a giant “cake” for the girls! So come on out and be a part of the fun of a cheetah-rific birthday party and ride Cheetah Hunt on its birthday too!

Some background on the “girls”

Six of our cheetahs came to us from a conservation center called Cheetah Outreach in Cape Town, South Africa. Their names are Nave, Sula, Oronsay, Pego, Qi and Tiree. The caretakers at Cheetah Outreach hand-reared six of the seven cheetahs that now call Tampa home.

During this process, they exposed the six cheetahs to many visitors through daily guest interactions at the facility. They also focus on outreach programs to educate the public on cheetah conservation.

The seventh cheetah, Jenna, was raised at the De Wildt Shingwedzi Cheetah & Wildlife Ranch, which aims to ensure the long-term survival of the cheetah and African wild dog.

To achieve its mission, the Ranch supports the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, which has an extensive community outreach and educational program as well as a strategic breeding plan for this endangered species.

The girls are our star runners and we center our lure run presentation around them each day. Nave is the fastest - we have clocked her at 54 mph out on the habitat!

You can find these young ladies at the Cheetah Run habitat across from Cheetah Hunt. We rotate our separate groups of cheetahs out onto the habitat throughout the day so you may see some or all of them at any one time.

They also share the habitat space with dynamic duo Kasi and Mtani as well as our two young males Jagati and Iraja. There is always something going on with the cheetahs at Busch Gardens!

If you love these beautiful animals like I do, check out our Endangered Species Safari where you can see a cheetah up close!

Busch Gardens Helps Bring Mother’s Day Egg-citement to The Children’s Cancer Center

Amber Wisler — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:11:20 +0000

There’s a very special place called the Children’s Cancer Center, whose goal is to help families in the Tampa Bay area cope with their child’s diagnosis of cancer or blood disorder.

One of the groups that the Children’s Cancer Center hosts is the Oncology Family Connection Group, for families who have a child who is in or has completed treatment for cancer. The family nights for this group start with a big family dinner, after which volunteers lead kids in fun activities, while parents of the group meet.

May 3^rd’s meeting brought an eggs-tra special Mother’s Day project for Arts & Crafts time. Volunteers helped kids with an Ostrich Egg Painting egg-stavaganza (Eggs courtesy of Busch Gardens’ very own Red-Necked Ostriches!)

The art of decorating eggs spans history and the globe. Though we most frequently associate decorated eggs with Easter, throughout time eggs have symbolized the birth of a child in China, a flirtatious display in Italy, confetti-filled wish-making in Mexico, celebration in Japan, and wealth in Russia.

The eggs THESE kids decorated celebrated their love for their moms in a BIG way!

Zoo Keepers at Busch Gardens collected the infertile eggs from the female ostrich habitat, drilled a hole in each, drained the white and yolk (which is the equivalent of 24 chicken eggs!), and then cleaned the empty shells! When intact, the eggs can support over 200 lbs of weight (once empty, they’re not quite as strong, but still much stronger than empty chicken eggs- perfect canvases for small hands!)

Each child showed their artistic side differently…

Some children used words…

…while others painted scenes…

…and others used feathers…

…while others found COMPLETELY different ways to adorn their eggs!

Though the famous Faberge eggs are worth millions of dollars, we think you’ll agree, these kids’ Mother’s Day creations are priceless.

Photo Credit for Faberge Egg Photo goes to PBS.org.

Enrichment: Busch Gardens Keepers Make Sure Our Animals Have FUN!

Nadim Sawan-Lara — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:06:56 +0000

On one of your many visits to Busch Gardens, you’ve probably toured through an animal area to see some kind of object on habitat that you weren’t expecting and wondered “What IS that?”. Chances are, what you saw was enrichment.

Enrichment is incredibly important to all different types of animals from birds to big cats to primates and is used in zoos all across the country. It is designed to motivate them, either mentally or physically, and can be something as simple as a scent, like perfume; a food item, such as fruit juice popsicles; a device that challenges their minds or encourages them to explore their environment; or it can be an event such as a holiday party.

Animals throughout our park get enriched several times each day and here are just a few examples of what you might see in my area, Myombe Reserve:

Pele is interacting with a feeder ball. There are holes drilled into the ball so we can stuff it with treats, such as grapes or peanuts. The animals shake the ball or roll it around to get the treats to fall out.

Bolingo is working on this simulated termite mound. The holes drilled into it are stuffed with peanut butter, honey or banana. It is designed to encourage tool use, a natural behavior most notably seen from chimpanzees in the wild when fishing for ants or termites, but gorillas and orangutans at Busch Gardens have been seen exhibiting this behavior too.

A feeder attached in the crook of this tree encourages the animals to climb. This device is stuffed with treats and has a mesh covering on one end. The animals use either a stick or their fingers to work the treats down through the feeder and out of the mesh.

Feeder boards have very small holes drilled in them. The holes are stuffed with raisins or a small amount of jelly. Some animals use a stick to free the treats, but Sim Sim prefers to just use his mouth.

Rubber tubs can be used in several ways, but one of the most popular is to hold liquids. Here, Sim Sim is carefully drinking his Gatorade so he doesn’t spill any.

Training sessions are a great form of enrichment. They add even more variety to the animals’ day and give keepers a way to interact with them while they are on habitat. These sessions give our guests a sneak peek at how intelligent our great apes are and the animals love it because it gives them an opportunity to earn treats for a job well done.

Keepers at Busch Gardens strive to make every day better for our animals and one of the best ways to do that is through enrichment. The keepers love coming up with new ideas and watching the animals enjoy all of the hard work. The animals love it because every day is different.

I would love to hear from you: What are some of the ways you enrich the people or animals in your life?

How To Get A Job At Busch Gardens

Katie McMichen — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:50:23 +0000

You’re hired!

We all want to hear those magical words after we go through an interview. So, what is the secret to getting a job as a Busch Gardens or Adventure Island employee, or team member as we call them? It is harder than you think, but it can be easier than you think too! Only a small percentage of those individuals who apply actually get hired. But here is an explanation of our hiring process and some tips to improve your chances.

The Jobs

Most team members are hired into seasonal jobs in Operations (such as Ride Operator, Tram Driver, and Guest Admissions), Food Service, or Merchandise (such as Retail Sales, Games and Photos) at either Busch Gardens, or our water park, Adventure Island. Here’s what some of the jobs look like:

Operations team members

Food Service/Culinary team members

Merchandise (Games, Photos and Retail Sales) team members

Screen yourself in or out

If you have a positive attitude, a customer service mindset, a team orientation, a winning smile and enjoy engaging with guests, you’re probably a perfect fit. On the other hand….you should be aware that we are a drug-free workplace, and look for a neat, clean, conservative style in applicants so that our team members enrich the guest experience, rather than distracting them from all our parks have to offer. Piercings (besides earrings for the ladies), gauges, tattoos on the face or neck, or inappropriate tattoos would rule you out.

The Application

The complete application process must be done online at our jobs website: www.BuschGardensJobs.com. On any given day there may be different jobs posted on this site. You should check back regularly if you don’t see a job you like, or that you are qualified for. If you see a job that matches your interest, then hit the “Apply Now” button and you are on your way. For the seasonal jobs noted above, you will normally have the option of scheduling yourself for an in-person interview at our office. (Other jobs listed may involve us contacting you later if we need more information. Don’t worry if you are not able to set up an interview immediately. We will always contact you.)

The Interview

You have submitted your application and scheduled your interview. Don’t stop now! A fun job is within your sights. Make sure to show up on time for your scheduled interview, or call the phone number you were provided if you need to cancel or re-schedule. Be patient and prepared to wait. We may have as many as one hundred applicants scheduled for interviews on any given day.

These may seem like basics, but we have seen them all in applicants who have NOT gotten hired:

-Turn off your cell phone and don’t take any phone calls, or do any texting during your interview

-No smoking or chewing gum during the interview

-Avoid shorts, cut-offs, torn clothes, flip-flops, hats, spiked hair, unnatural hair color or styles, flashy jewelry, profanity and poor personal hygiene (body odor or bad breath).

Instead:

-Speak up clearly and enthusiastically with no mumbling

-Dress for success in business casual attire

-Be focused on the task at hand with no distractions

-And, we love kids and parents, but if you want the job, you should not bring either to your interview

So, bring you’re “A” game and apply now. It could be just a part-time job, or it might turn into a fulfilling career. If you already have your dream job, pick up a Fun Card or Annual Pass and have our wonderful team members provide you the world class guest service we are known for. Let us know what more you would like to know about working at Busch Gardens or Adventure Island.

Article by Mike Kraskow

The Adventure League: Your Personal Guide to the Park

Katie McMichen — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:47:29 +0000

If you’ve been to the park during peak times of the year you may have noticed employees dressed in brightly-colored costumes standing on brown speaker boxes. Ever wonder who they are and what they’re doing? They are the Adventure League and they’re here to help you!

Adventure League

I am a member of this team devoted to making our guests’ day at the park easier and more enjoyable. We offer directions, information and can even suggest activities for guests depending on what they like to do most at theme parks. Our main goal is anticipate our guests’ needs and help them before they have to stop and ask.

Want to know more about our All Day Dining Deal? No problem. Want to feed a giraffe? I can tell you all about the Serengeti Safari where you’ll be able to feed multiple giraffes.

Se Habla EspaÃ±ol

Busch Gardens has many Spanish-speaking visitors and we know how frustrating the language barrier can be. That’s why the Adventure League also has members that are bilingual, which is especially helpful during events such as Viva la Musica. And if we can’t speak your language then we’ll be more than happy to help you find someone who can.

When/ Where You Can Find Us

You definitely can’t miss us when we’re out in the park. We wear a bright green and blue costume and usually tower over everyone else because we are standing on a huge brown box with a speaker.

The Adventure League will be in the park during peak times of the year such as holidays, Summer Nights and when Busch Gardens has events going on. We can be found at four major areas in the park: Moroccan Village, Nairobi Gate entrance, Bumper Cars and by Stanley Falls Flume.

As guests are walking by we try and talk about all the useful things they should know, but don’t hesitate to ask specific questions.

Have a Great Day

The Adventure League is here to help make our guests’ day at Busch Gardens as stress-free and fun as possible. Whether you have little ones in your family, you’re an animal lover or you’ve been to Busch Gardens many times and are looking for something new (hint: check out Curiosity Caverns), the Adventure League can point you in the right direction and you find your next adventure.

Have you seen the Adventure League out in the park? Did they help you in some way when you visited? Let us know!

Date Night Ideas at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Katie McMichen — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:46:35 +0000

Hello, all you love birds out there! Have you ever thought of bringing a date to Busch Gardens? There are many unique experiences you can have here so I have three different themed date night ideas for you to consider.

Animal Lovers

If you and your date love animals, then plan out your day to the park with these fun activities:

A trip to the Edge of Africa. There are a lot of animals to see here in one place.
Then just a short walk up the path is the main station for the Serengeti Railway. Riding the train is a good way to get close to our giraffes and zebras. But then you would surprise your date by bringing them out to…
Feed the giraffes on the Serengeti Safari or the Endangered Species Safari.
For lunch or dinner, I would recommend the Orang CafÃ© or the Crown Colony CafÃ©, where you eat and sit side by side with some of our amazing animals.
Don’t forget to catch our two shows featuring some of our most talented animals. Iceploration and Critter Castaways.

Thrill Seekers

If you have the need for speed, try out this agenda:

Start off your day with our brand new Roller Coaster Experience Tour. This NEW Coaster Experience Tour takes you behind the scenes and heart-poundingly close to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's awesome collection of world-class thrill rides.
Pick up a Quick Queue. This will get you front of the lines on some of our most popular attractions.
While strolling through the park it may be a good idea to actually stop and go through a queue line. This will give you time to actually slow down and talk and get to know each other while waiting.
For lunch or dinner I would recommend the Zambia Smokehouse. It sits right under SheiKra for an unforgettable view while dining.

Ultimate Date Night Experience

This date night combines the best of our rides and our animals into a date that neither of you will soon forget:

Start your day by picking up an Unlimited Quick Queue wristband to just breeze through all your favorite rides.
Next check out our Jungala Insider Tour. Speak with our animal keepers and join them behind the scenes as they care for endangered Bengal tigers and Bornean orangutans.
For lunch or dinner I would recommended the Crown Colony Resturant. It features some of the best views in the park, overlooking the beautiful terrain and wildlife of the Serengeti Plain all in glorious A/C.
Once the day is rounding to a close escape into the wild African night for two glorious hours under the stars above the Serengeti Plain with the Serengeti Night Safari.

So there are some ideas to help make your date at Busch Gardens an excellent one. Have you ever taken a date to the park? Tell us about it below!

I’m James, and you are one step closer to being a Busch Gardens pro. Don’t forget to “Like”, share or tweet this article above and I’ll see you in the park.

A Gardening "How to" from a BG Horticulturist: Make Your Own Floral Hanging Basket

Lauren Skowyra — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:48:05 +0000

The first recorded container gardening dates back 3,000 years to the famous hanging gardens of Babylon and since then people have thought up many different ways to bring the outdoors closer to home.

One of these techniques, hanging baskets, originated in the Victorian age and is an excellent way to frame entrances, doorways and walkways.

The baskets also have the added benefit of bringing plants up to eye level for better viewing and appreciation of their flowers and aromas.

Here at Busch Gardens we use hanging baskets that are between 18 and 24 inches in diameter and can live for several years depending on plant type. Here are a few of my favorites:

A fully grown basket of this size can weigh between 75 and 100 lbs!

This size is probably too much for a home gardener, but you can use any size basket to make your own for your house.

Here are some tips to make your own hanging basket at home:

Start with a galvanized wire bowl-shaped frame.
Stuff the outside of frame with sphagnum moss or inlay with coco fiber shell to hold soil in place while allowing excess water to drain and good air penetration
Use a soil mix composed primarily of pearlite and peat moss which holds the plants, soil moisture and soil nutrients
Think big! When selecting your plants and combine bright annuals, foliage, succulents, herbs and trailing plants
Start planting your lowest row of plants on the sidewalls near the bottom then add a layer of soil
Plant your next higher row of plants staggered vertically from your first row.
Repeat until you fill your entire basket. Some of our large begonia baskets here at the park may have 20 or more plants in them
Water baskets daily and fertilize weekly with a liquid fertilizer.
Here at Busch Gardens, we typically allow plants to grow in the baskets and shape them for a couple of months before they’re ready for display in the park.

Check out our hanging baskets all over the park highlighting walkways, framing entrances to buildings and brightening up patios. Which one pictured here is your favorite?