RodentPro.com® Animal Advocate Scholarship

I am studying Conservation and Wildlife Management at Delaware Valley University. I chose Delaware Valley University due to its diverse animal science programs and hands-on curriculum. I've had an affinity for animals since childhood. My pet rabbit, Chase, whom I had when I was seven, sparked my passion for studying animals. I spent many hours observing his every move, from hopping around to hiding under chairs. I drew maps to track his movements and conducted experiments with fruits and vegetables. Chase was the root of my love for animals and my interest in studying their behavior and well-being. This curiosity prompted me to volunteer at the Trevor Zoo. It's a small yet diverse, AZA-accredited zoo in Millbrook. The Trevor Zoo is home to many animals, but the two species of monkeys—Geoffroy’s marmosets and golden lion tamarins—were my favorites. They had eight marmosets and two lion tamarins. The marmosets were adorably curious. As I worked, they would gather around and chirp at me, tilting their heads quizzically. Sometimes, I would imitate their chirps, and because I wore a face mask around the primates, they couldn’t tell where the chirping was coming from and would look around in confusion. I enjoyed watching them jump between the branches and grab chunks of fruit with their miniature hands. It was always a pleasure to work with so many tiny, captivated eyes watching me. The golden lion tamarins were very different from the marmosets. They’re territorial, and they don’t like it when large primates such as myself invade their homes and steal their empty food bowls. Every time I worked with them, they would shout at me in their high-pitched, whiny voices, demanding that I get off their property. When I started working with the lion tamarins, I was unaware of their temperament, and most people wouldn’t expect a tiny orange fluffball of a monkey to harbor any malice, so I assumed they were squeaking at me in fear or concern. One time, while working with one of the lion tamarins, I tried to mimic her squeaks as I did with the marmosets. I was trying to calm her, but it seemed to provoke her, and she kept squeaking in reply. After a lengthy back-and-forth, she became angry and squeaked repeatedly at me for at least a full minute, presumably cussing me out in monkey speech. Afterward, I looked up the true meaning of their calls and realized that I had just started an argument with a monkey. I became fully aware of how delightful and ridiculous working with animals could be. These experiences deepened my understanding of the importance of animal care and welfare in the broader context of conservation. Protecting a species means more than saving its habitat—it means ensuring each individual animal’s health, behavior, and social needs are respected and met. Responsible animal care plays a crucial role in conservation efforts, especially in managed settings like zoos, where breeding programs, education, and rehabilitation often intersect. I feel fortunate to be studying to pursue a career I’m truly passionate about. I hope to receive this scholarship to offset the cost of study abroad opportunities and to reduce my total debt upon graduation. Being a wildlife biologist is not the most financially lucrative career. I would like to be able to pursue my passion and not have to make career choices based on financial need due to overwhelming college debt.