Skip to main content
Southeast Missouri State University
Audience  Search  Menu 

You are here:

  1. Home
  2. news
  3. southeast-student-following-her-passion-for-primates-at-saint-louis-zoo

Southeast Student Following Her Passion at Saint Louis Zoo

Continue to main content
  • Campus,
  • Students,
  • Humanities & Social Sciences,
  • Biology
Published: July 18, 2018

Share Options

  • Share to Twitter
  • Share to Facebook
  • Share to Linkedin
Southeast Missouri State University student Emma Ahern of Webster Groves, Missouri, has learned theres no monkeying around this summer at the Saint Louis Zoo.Ahern has learned theres lots of hard work behind the scenes of a place that shes long had a passion to visit.A senior double major in global cultures and languages, with an option in anthropology, and biology, with an option in organismal, ecological and evolutionary biology, Ahern is interning this summer in the Primate House at the Saint Louis Zoo.Ive been going to the Saint Louis Zoo since I was a little kid, and the Primate House was my favorite part to go to every time, Ahern said. When I decided on my major(s) and found out I needed an internship, the Saint Louis Zoo was the first place I thought of.The Primate House is home to lemurs and old and new world monkeys such as Allens swamp monkeys, Coquerels sifaka and black lemurs. Separated only by glass, visitors to the zoo are able to enjoy a variety of primates in an engaging exhibit.Ahern shadows the zoo keepers to learn about the diet and training the various animals participate in each day. She also assists in animal enrichment activities and cleaning the habitats.[caption id="attachment_29831" align="alignright" width="225"] Southeast student Emma Ahern helps set up a bucket with ball pit balls and food in kong toys as part of an enrichment activity in the spider monkey habitat in the Primate House at the Saint Louis Zoo.[/caption]Enrichment activities are an important part of the animals care for their physiological and physiological well-being. Shes helped hang buckets with ball pit balls and food in kong toys to encourage the animals to forage for their food, Ahern said.The swamp monkeys are very intelligent, she said. It was really interesting trying to pick out the enrichment for them because you had to make it very challenging. You also have to make sure youve locked everything up because they are so smart they can take things apart.She also enjoys working with the Coquerels sifaka as they perform eye-catching leaps.They are a very interesting lemur species, and I love watching them, she said.The experience is allowing Ahern to learn about a zoo keepers interactions with specific species and what it takes to care for the animals.I get to learn all about the species that they care for in the Primate House and how different each of them are, Ahern said. I am seeing how zoos work and how much they do for the animals and the conservation work of animals all around the world.Ahern added she has enjoyed the opportunity to work in her chosen career field, and her experiences have deepened her love for zoology.I hope to learn more about animals and animal care from all the keepers I am working with and be able to carry that on in the future, said Ahern, who plans to pursue a graduate degree in primatology after graduating from Southeast in December 2019. Every day I am here, I learn something new, and its the best experience Ive ever had.

Related News

More News
More News

Site Menu

Southeast Missouri State University

Secondary

  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Request Info
  • Give

Site

  • Academics
    • Program Finder
    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • Online
    • Early College Programs
    • Study Abroad
    • Research
    • Honors Program
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Admission Requirements
    • How to Apply
    • Paying for College
    • Visiting SEMO
    • Admission Events
    • Meet the Team
  • Life at SEMO
    • Living on Campus
    • Dining
    • Student Life
    • Events
    • Traditions
    • Cape Girardeau
  • Student Support
    • Academic Support
    • Career Support
    • Health & Wellness
    • Financial Services
    • Dean of Students
    • Military & Veteran Services

Secondary

  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Request Info
  • Give

Quick Links

  • About
  • News
  • Blog
  • SEMO Online
  • Economic & Workforce Development
  • Colleges & Departments
  • Offices & Services
  • People Directory
  • Athletics
  • University Foundation
  • En Español
  • Institutional Data

Audience Links

Southeast Missouri State University

Resources for you.

  • Current Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Accepted Students
  • Counselors
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Donors
  • Community Partners

Info For:

  • Current Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Accepted Students
  • Counselors
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Donors
  • Community Partners

Current Students Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Canvas
  • mySEMO
  • Email
  • SupportNET
  • University Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Office Directory
  • People Directory
  • People Search
  • University Closings

Academics

  • Program Finder
  • Academic Calendar
  • Academic Advising
  • Academics
  • Course Catalog
  • Register for Classes
  • Registrar
  • Help Desk
  • Kent Library

Paying for College

  • Pay My Bill
  • Financial Services
  • Student Employment
  • Financial Calendar

Student Life

  • Apply for Housing
  • Residence Hall Association
  • Student Transportation
  • Dining
  • Dean of Students

Career Services

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Handshake Jobs
  • Resources
  • Events

Parents & Families Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Family/Parents
  • Family Weekend
  • About Southeast
  • Campus Map
  • Academic Calendar
  • Office Directory
  • People Directory

Your Student

  • Admissions
  • New Student Programs
  • Opening Week
  • Financial Services
  • Residence Life
  • Academic Support
  • Health and Wellness
  • Dean of Students
  • University Police Department

Accepted Students Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Admissions
  • Camp Redhawk
  • Engage in 8
  • First Step
  • First Year Experience
  • New Student Programs
  • Textbook Rental
  • University Calendar

Academic Advising

  • Academic Calendar
  • Program Finder
  • Schedule an Appointment

Career Services

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Handshake Jobs

Paying for College

  • Financial Aid
  • Scholarships
  • Payments

Student Life

  • Apply for Housing
  • Residence Life
  • Dining
  • Student Orgnizations

Counselors Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Office of Admissions
  • Find My Admissions Counselor
  • Counselor Resources
  • Early College Programs

Applying to SEMO

  • Admissions Requirements
  • How to Apply
  • Deadlines
  • Test Optional

Financial Aid

  • FAFSA
  • SEMO Scholarships
  • Cost and Affordability

Launching Careers

  • Academics
  • Outcomes
  • Career Services

Alumni Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Alumni Association
  • Update Your Information
  • Share Your Story
  • Employment
  • Office Directory
  • Southeast News
  • People Directory

Get Connected

  • Alumni Events
  • Campus Events
  • Show SEMO Spirit

Give Back

  • Giving to SEMO
  • Get Involved
  • Annual Fund

Faculty & Staff Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Profile Spotlight Form
  • Offices and Services
  • People Directory
  • People Search
  • mySEMO
  • Email
  • Academic Calendar
  • University Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • SupportNET
  • Kent Library
  • Human Resources
  • Training and Development
  • University Closings
  • SE Alerts
  • Web Change Request
  • Southeast News

Faculty Resources

  • Faculty Senate
  • Canvas
  • Center for Teaching and Learning

Staff Resources

  • Professional Staff Council
  • CTS Staff Council

Facilities

  • Work Order/Order Supplies Request
  • Central Receiving

Donors Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Giving to SEMO
  • University Foundation
  • Office Directory
  • People Directory

Making an Impact

  • Student Stories
  • Ways to Give
  • Student Emergency Fund
  • Get Involved

Connecting with SEMO

  • Alumni Association
  • Alumni Events
  • Academics
  • Redhawk Athletics

Community Partners Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Economic and Workforce Development
  • Skill Development
  • Factbook
  • About Southeast
  • Career Services
  • University Foundation
  • University Communications
  • People Directory
  • People Search

Workforce Development

  • Small Business and Technology Development Center
  • SEMO Online
  • Regional Professional Development Center
  • Alumni Association

Community Service

  • Southeast Serves
  • Office of Campus Life
  • Office of Greek Life
  • Redhawk Athletics

Media Inquiries

  • Southeast News
  • Redhawk Sports Information

One University Plaza Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

(573) 651-2000
Contact Us

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

Campuses

  • Cape Girardeau
  • River Campus
  • Kennett
  • Sikeston

Campus Links

  • News
  • Athletics
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Accreditations
  • Show Me Center

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

Footer

  • Employment
  • Accessibility
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosures
  • Sunshine Law

© 2025 SEMO