Tim Smith is Assistant Curator at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
As assistant curator, what does your job entail here at Busch Gardens?
I work with the animal collections in both the Edge of Africa as well as the new Cheetah Run exhibit. I also perform and supervise the care and maintenance of both our animals and our staff.
What kind of background has led you to be able to work with the cheetahs?
I actually grew up working on a farm. From there I graduated high school and went on to get my degree in Biology from the State University of New York. After school, I began working in the wild animal field and I also became a bird trainer for various shows. Then I went to SeaWorld and worked there for 9 years before I finally came to Busch Gardens.
How are you training the cheetahs to be integrated into the Cheetah Run exhibit? What is the biggest thrill of working with cheetahs?
We’re doing a lot of familiarization with the cheetahs by bringing in different elements of the park, such as smells, sights, noises, etc, into their habitat and getting them comfortable with what’s going to be in the new Cheetah Run habitat. We’re also taking steps to build relationships with the different cheetahs to where they are comfortable working with us and becoming cooperative with the run exercises.
What are you looking forward to guests experiencing at Cheetah Run?
I’m looking forward to having the guests immersed in this whole new world defined by speed and agility and seeing how they react to what they learn. I want them to see and understand what the cheetah is all about - how they behave, how they interact, and especially how they run.
Can you tell us about your trip to Africa to work with cheetahs?
My visit to Africa was spent with Ann van Dyk at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre in DeWildt which has become very successful at understanding cheetah breeding. Over 40 years they have learned much about the process by which cheetahs should be put together to encourage propagation. Ann has recently developed a new breeding facility at Shingwedzi and it is at this facility that they have produced approximately 30 cheetah cubs last year, seven of which are now here at BGT.
How is Busch Gardens involved in these cheetah conservation efforts?
At the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Center there is an education program where guests are invited to participate in cheetah runs and interactions in their classroom facility. Also by educating the local people they are able reduce the number of cheetahs that are shot and killed every year, thus contributing to a decrease in wild cheetah mortality. By building relationships with organizations like Busch Gardens, the opportunity to further the goals in regards to the cheetah’s success is much more possible. Through conservation education we will be successful. The SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has donated $88,000 to 4 different conservation organizations since 2005 and Busch Gardens alone has donated $40,000 to White Oak Conservation in the name of cheetah research.
If any of our younger readers want to work with cheetahs in the future, what type of education or experience would they need?
The obvious response is to get a good education. But more importantly you need to pursue what you are interested in. The best start you can get is by volunteering or interning at local zoos or animal exhibits and learning as much as you can. Starting at the bottom and working your way up is often the most beneficial and rewarding experience you can work towards.
Will you be riding Cheetah Hunt when it opens?
Absolutely! I made plans to ride it from the day I heard it was coming. I will definitely be on that coaster opening day.