Zookeeper Rick Schwartz

I believe we all have the innate desire to remain close to the natural world. I live my life reconnecting people to that very thing. Being a former Zookeeper & Ambassador isn’t really work for me; it’s a way of life. 

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Way back, early in my use of Instagram, I would post tree photo on Tuesdays with the tag #TreeTuesday. Now, I did not come up with this idea or this tag, it was just something I saw and thought it was fun to join in. Well, I am jumping back in. You see this past weekend a big multi-influencer fundraiser started on YouTube under the hashtag #TeamTrees. It’s a massive collective effort to raise money to plant trees, one dollar = one tree, with the goal being 20 million dollars/20 million trees by Jan 1, 2020. (Tree) For me, this (plantings trees) seems like an awesome use of social media. AND it also brings up a point I often discuss, How ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! So often we feel overwhelmed by things like climate change, wildlife trafficking, poaching and so on. This whole Team Trees thing came about because one person had an idea and other individuals joined in and now its a world wide fundraiser to get these tress in the ground. Never forget, You Make A Difference. . . . . . #Tress #ArborDayFoundation #YouMakeADifference #ThePowerOfOne #Leadership #LensFlare #WeGotThis #PlantATree #TreeHugger #HugATree #Nature #GetOutSide #Outdoors #YouTube #MakeADifference #MakingADifference (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ONsMOF7M6/?igshid=mbrc31mc5aa7

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Yeah.... so, I guess I’m a little slow. #InternationalSlothDay was yesterday and I am just now posting about it. Fun #AnimalFact: On average a sloth moves 6-10 ft/min. At top speed, that’s 600 ft/hour! Or just under 1/9th of a mile/hour😮 But they are super cute, so whatever. 🚶🏽‍♂️🚶🏽‍♂️🚶🏽‍♂️🚶🏽‍♂️🚶🏽‍♂️🚶🏽‍♂️ (For a comparison, the average walking speed for human is 3.1 mph) . . . . . #NotAPet #sloth #slothlove #sloths #slothlover #babtslorh #slothlife #slothsofinstagram #zookeeper #sandiegozoo #animalsofinstagram #igscwildlife #animales #exclusive_animals #wildlifephoto #animalsmood #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeplanet #animalsaddict #planet_of_animals #wildlife_seekers #animal_in_world #sandiego_ca #allthingssd #animalplanet_fan (at San Diego Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B35yDoZl_4I/?igshid=1oonyal34c12y

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For #Caturday I am pulling out one of my old photos of Izu at the @sdzSafariPark. Figured it was appropriate since lion around is pretty much all I have done for a couple of weeks (thanks to back issues). #AnimalFact Lions “snore” more than they roar. Lions have been observed sleeping between 15 and 20 hours a day. And after a large meal, they may sleep for a full (pun intended) 24 hours straight! . . . . . #Lion #Zookeeper #naptime #wildlifeeducation #Saturday #SaturdayVibe #kingogthejungle #bigcatsifinstagram #malelion #catnap #sandiegozoo #safaripark #AfricanLion #animalpolis #animalsofinstagram #igscwildlife #animales #exclusive_animals #wildlifephoto #wildlifeaddicts #animalworld #animalsmood #wildlifeonearth #animalsaddict #planet_of_animals #wildlife_seekers (at San Diego Zoo Safari Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B30WPTPn9MG/?igshid=1qeamtmt23vmg

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#Outside 🦏♥️ (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3BV9XTFEXX/?igshid=pgsvxs6u0ad7

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Because echidnas don’t have time to stop and chat. Step aside please - Places to go, bugs to eat and whatnot. (Happy Friday everyone - 😁) #SureHoneyBadgerDontCareButEchidnaHasThingsToDoAndPlacesToBe . . . . . #animallovers #animalpolis #sandiegozoo #igscwildlife #animales #exclusive_animals #zookeeper #wildlifeaddicts #wildlifephotography #animalworld #awesomeglobe #animalofinstagram #animalsmood #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeplanet #thecritterhaven #animalsaddict #planet_of_animals #wildlife_seekers #animal_in_world #exhidna #cuteanimals #fridayfeelings #happyfriday #fridayvibes (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B27tH14FyKF/?igshid=ik3kjceromf8

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It’s really pretty simple: Their horn. Their horn is not medicine. Their horn. Their horn is not decoration. Their horn. Not ours. Theirs. 🦏 #WorldRhinoDay (at San Diego Zoo Safari Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2vDZ_9l71D/?igshid=36imb5vlmus1

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Happy #InternationalRedPandaDay! The Red Panda is also known as the Firefox. And sometimes you will see them referred to as the Lesser Panda. This is because they were once thought to be directly related or the Giant Panda. And in the world of naming species, “lesser” usually means smaller and “giant” or “greater” means the bigger of the two related species. Bonus #AnimalFact: You may even see the Red Panda referred to as the First Panda because western scientists described (created scientific written records) 50 years before the Giant Panda! . . . . . . #RedPanda #RedPandaDay #animallovers #animalpolis #animalsofinstagram #SanDiegoZoo #animales #exclusive_animals #wildlifephoto #wildlifeaddicts #wildlifephotography #animalworld #TheZooSanDiego #TheZooSD #animalsmood #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeplanet #AnimalPlanet #animalsaddict #planet_of_animals #wildlife_seekers #animal_in_world (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2r2os2Hw46/?igshid=ohqruqsep1dv

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Throwing back to nap-time from a couple of weeks ago, with the ever-adorable Edward. ♥️🦏 . . . . . #ThrowbackThursday #tbt #whiterhino #rhinolove #babyrhino #animalplanet #animalplanet_fan #thezoosandiego #thezoosd #animalpolis #animalsofinstagram #igscwildlife #animales #exclusive_animals #wildlifephoto #wildlifeaddicts #wildlifephotography #animalworld #awesomeglobe #animalsmood #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeplanet #animalsaddict #planet_of_animals #wildlife_seekers #animal_in_world #igerssandiego (at San Diego Zoo Safari Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2nQ7J8nhYb/?igshid=ajd43ml1kyvi

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When Animal Care Specialists, Zookeepers & Curators talk about how we work to make sure animal breeding pairs are compatible, you may hear a comparison to on-line dating. My friends at Big Bear Alpine Zoo have done a fine job taking it to the next level with this fun & educational post. ♥️ RePosted • @bigbearalpinezoo • Hello- my name is Luna, a ring-tailed cat and I am expecting a mate soon. Thanks to the SSP (Species Survival Plan) coordinator for ring-tailed cats, my mate has been selected based on our genetics, meaning that we are very distantly related and that makes for a good match. The management of species through SSP helps promote the sustainability of our captive species. SSP looks for genetic variability during the selection process but my needs are simple. So...what do I look for in a mate? --must love the nightlife (nocturnal). --good taste in fruits, vegetables, small rodents, lizards, and especially BUGS! --must enjoy climbing- a deal breaker if you can rotate your hind feet 180 degrees. --shared hatred of great horned owls, bobcats, and coyotes. --no raccoons need apply! (ring-tailed cats and raccoons are in the same family). Although you are a Least Concern species with IUCN, you'll be my rare find. Thank you AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) SSP! #SSPmate #loversofthenight #cactusclimber #Wildlife #wildlifeeducation #BigBear #BigBearAlpineZoo #wildlifeconservation #RingTailCat (at Big Bear Alpine Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2fcJ-TF77S/?igshid=1a8z7q9dm6j55

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I’ve invited some of more we’ll dressed friends over to flock around the TV this evening. Will you be watching “The Zoo San Diego” on @AnimalPlanet this tonight? You just might learn somewhere ❄️cool❄️ facts about ☀️warm☀️ weather penguins 🐧 . . . . . #TheZooSD #TheZooSanDiego #SanDiegoZoo #sdzSafariPark #EndExtinction #EndangeredSpecies #AfricanPenguin #instaBird #AnimalPlanet #IG_Discover_Wildlife #Wildlife #WildlifeAddicts #Majestic_wildlife_ #AnimalPlanet_Fan #penguins #AwesomeAnimals #savingspecies #WildlifePlanetPhotoMag #Wildlife_Seekers #IG_Discover_Nature https://www.instagram.com/p/B2aVbOxlZZt/?igshid=b9a1cxo630q5

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Formally heading off to the weekend like… 🐧 #AnimalFact: YES - There are penguins native to African! Many assume all penguins are only native to the continent of Antarctica, but the African penguin is native to the coasts of Namibia, South Africa and islands along those waters. In fact there are a few other species of penguin that are not native to Antartica. Do you know which species they are? . . . . . #FridayFeeling #AfricanPenguin #Penguin #SanDiegoZoo #TheZooSD #AnimalPlanet #AnimalPlanet_Fan #animalpolis #animalsofinstagram #igscwildlife #animales #exclusive_animals #wildlifeaddicts #wildlifeVideo #animalworld #awesomeglobe #animalsmood #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeplanet #animalsaddict #planet_of_animals #wildlife_seekers #animal_in_world #igerssandiego #sandiego_ca #allthingssd #sandiego_visuals (at San Diego Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2XvhS7F-x5/?igshid=b06kscfziqou

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A little #ThrowbackThursday - If you caught last week’s episode of The Zoo San Diego on @AnimalPlanet, you saw me hanging out with my buddy Rio. He was hatched at the @SanDiegoZoo well Over 20 years ago and has been a great Animal Ambassador ever since. Rio's ambassador work includes helping us with #WildlifeEducation at the zoo, at schools, at children's hospitals and senior centers as well. Rio has even been to NYC with me a couple of times. Once in the @todayshow & another time to visit with @kellyripa on @livekellyandryan (before @ryanseacrest joined). For Rio all of this love and attention is great. But for everyone he says "hello" to, it's a chance to see an amazing rainforest bird up close and personal. I have had the honor of introducing people to Rio and seeing the interest grow - along with inspiration to do more for #conservation. . . . . . #amazinganimals #TBT #AnimalPlanet #SanDiegoZoo #SafariPark #TheZooSD #TheZooSanDiego #AmazonParrot #AmazonParrots #AnimalPlanet_Fan #instabird #birdfreaks #Parrotgram #ParrotLove #ig_discover_wildlife #BestAnimal #PlanetBirds #TheZoo #AmazonParrotsOfInstagram #birdsofinstagram #birdlover #BirdNerd (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2VLG4Fla1m/?igshid=r2i30fu2y6em

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Can’t not repost an adorable puggle pic that also includes a pun! Thanks @scramperton for bringing this to my attention! (PS. If you didn’t already know, puggle is the term used for a baby echidna.) 😍 RePosted • @zooborns @perthzoo Not only is this puggle memory adorable but ‘echid-ya’ not, our #TonguesOutTuesday champion is toothless and relies on its long sticky tongue to slurp up its meal! #echidnapuggle #echidna #PerthZoo #SavingWildlife #zoobaby #zooborns #savingspecies https://www.instagram.com/p/B2QFL_jHrDg/?igshid=10owseq1z389c

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So... How’s your day friend? Well, no matter what kind of day you had, hope this little wallaby snoot popping up in your Instagram feed makes your day a little marsupial better. . . . . . #Wallaby #marsupial #smile #MondayMotivation #wildlifeeducation #sdzoo #safaripark #cuteface #animalsofinsta #zookeeper #wildlife_inspired #igscwildlife #wildlifefriend #homeschoolbiology #zoology #featured_wildlife #global4nature #wildlifeig #animal_fanatics #animalplanet #natgeowild #loves_animals #animalplanet_fan #TheZoo #TheZooSD (at San Diego Zoo Safari Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2NfyRvlY6s/?igshid=19g95gbazya1b

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Was it just me, or did this seem like a slow week? I really can’t complain though, my week included time with rhinos and Galapagos tortoises 😍 🦏🐢🦏🐢🦏🐢🦏🐢🦏🐢🦏🐢 Hope your weekend is something worth shell-ebrating 😉 . . . . . #GalapagosTortoise #AnimalPun #weekendvibes #instatortoise #TortoisesOfInstagram #SanDiegoZoo (at San Diego Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2F30RMnyYx/?igshid=una6pu1j8qip

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“Can we talk?” Rock Hyraxes have a variety of ways they can communicate. Here’s a #NationalWildlifeDay #AnimalFact for you: Hyraxes use grunts, wails, squeals, snorts, growls, whistles, shrieks and other sounds to communicate. They vocalize to contact groups in different locations or each other within a group if separated: When relaxed and content, a hyrax will make squeaks and soft whistling sounds. By contrast, bark like sounds and low growls and grunts means “I am not happy” or “back off!” . . . . . #Hyrax #rockhyrax #SanDiegoZoo #AwsomeAnimal #WildlifeEducation #WildlifeConservation #cuteface #cuteanimal #exclusive_animals #wildlifephoto #wildlifeaddicts #wildlifephotography #animalofinstagram #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeplanet #animalsaddict #planet_of_animals #wildlife_seekers #animal_in_world #unlimitedwildlife #AfricanAnimals #savingspecies #EndExrincrion #TheZooSD #AnimalPlanet #AnimalPlanet_fan (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Aq7pCH9EG/?igshid=mo22k5gh1hoc

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It’s #NationalWildlifeDay! Do you have a favorite animal or fun wildlife fact? Here’s a fun #AnimalFact about hippos: A group of hippopotamuses are often called herds, pods or a bloat! 🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛🦛 . . . . . #hippos #wildlifelovers #hippopotamus #botswana #choberriver #wildlifeeducation #igscwildlife #animales #exclusive_animals #wildlifephoto #wildlifeaddicts #wildlifephotography #animalofinstagram #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeplanet #animalsaddict #planet_of_animals #wildlife_seekers #animal_in_world #unlimitedwildlife #AfricanAnimals #savingspecies #wildlifeprotection (at Chobe River) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1_4zfuH-Yn/?igshid=n3u3s6r9fgsb