Zoology/Research

Of Zookeeping and Unicorns

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / 2 Comments

Writing and wildlife updates await!

Hello, friends! With summer drawing to a close, I’ve embarked for a new adventure: a zookeeping apprenticeship at Scovill Zoo in Decatur, Illinois! I’m thrilled by this opportunity and eager to begin. My start date is September 1st, but I’ve already moved to town and am enjoying exploring the area.

My mom and I riding the train at Scovill Zoo
The Transfer House, a Decatur landmark
On a building with a sign that reads "Novel Ideas: Used Books - Gifts", a mural is painted that says, "Set your imagination free". The mural includes mundane modern figures with interesting shadows: a schoolboy whose shadow looks like a medieval prince with a feather in his cap, a schoolgirl whose shadow holds a bubbling beaker, a dog whose shadow is shaped like a dragon's, a man in a striped shirt whose shadow is shaped like a soccer player kicking a ball, and a woman in a business outfit whose shadow looks like a ballerina. There is also a cut-off shadow, of which you can only see an arm holding what appears to be a ladel, and part of the torso and one leg. The credits in the corner read, "Lindsay Quick, Milliken University, 2015."
Cool mural at a local bookstore

My other major announcement is that my second interactive novel for Choice of Games, Hero of Hoofbeat Hollow, is now available to wishlist on Steam! Click the cover art below to find it:

Cover art for the game Hero of Hoofbeat Hollow. Image shows a multicolored unicorn herd running through a cloud of smoke with the tips of their horns glowing, while a red dragon breathes fire overhead.

The game is still in progress, so there’s no official release date yet, and the descriptions are subject to change. Nonetheless, I’m excited to share this preview page (and the gorgeous cover art!) with you. Please wishlist and follow the game’s page for more news!

A Howling Good Time at the California Wolf Center!

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / 1 Comment

Hi, friends! Have you visited any new places this summer? I had the great pleasure of going to the California Wolf Center in Julian for the first time today with a dear friend and her family. We took an enrichment tour and saw the wolves get some tasty treats!

Two female wolves

Two female northwestern gray wolves at the California Wolf Center, Yana (front) and her daughter Poppy (back).

Female wolf

Another photo of Poppy.

Below are some action shots of Thor and Durango, two Mexican gray wolf brothers, investigating their environment.

Two male Mexican wolves

The California Wolf Center is an active participant in Mexican gray wolf conservation and educating the public about wolves. Please support their important work if you can!

Making a SPLASH This Summer!

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / Leave a comment

I grew up going to SeaWorld San Diego as a kid. It was one of the places that nurtured my passion for animals (particularly marine mammals!) and inspired me to pursue wildlife conservation as a career. I was lucky enough to participate in their Dolphin Interaction Program (DIP) and get in the water with bottlenose dolphins:

Framed photo of the author as a girl in the water with a dolphin

I also had the good fortune of attending their resident camp one summer, where I got my first kiss from a beluga whale named Ruby:

Photo of the author getting kissed by a beluga whale

I’m excited to announce that I am returning to SeaWorld San Diego this summer, for the first time in my adult life! This time, I’ll be making a splash as a day camp counselor! I’m excited to teach kids about marine life and have lots of fun in the sun together!

What are your plans for the summer? I hope they are FIN-tastic! May all your childhood dreams come true! 🐬✨

The views expressed in this post are my own. I do not speak as a representative of SeaWorld San Diego in this post or any other on my blog. Thanks for reading! 🐳

Our research paper on red wolves is out! My first “first authorship”!

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / Leave a comment
A red wolf

Hi everyone!

I’m excited to report that our (me + seven amazing coauthors) scientific paper, “Management Effects on Gastrointestinal Disease in Red Wolves (Canis rufus) Under Human Care: A Retrospective Study,” has just been published in the academic journal Animals! This is my first time being the first author of a professionally published research manuscript!

You can read and download the paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/21/3121 Thank you for checking it out!

Update: I graduated! Links to thesis manuscript and defense included :)

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / 1 Comment

Hi everybody!

This post is a bit overdue, but I’m delighted to announce that I graduated this summer from North Carolina State University, earning my Master of Science Degree in Biology!

Amy and Amy's mom Beverly standing in front of the North Carolina State University belltower. Amy is wearing a graduation cap and gown and a pink lei.

My mom and me in front of the North Carolina State University Memorial Belltower.

MS diploma

My diploma!

You can watch a video of my thesis defense at this link: Amy Clare Fontaine’s Thesis Defense

Furthermore, you can read my thesis manuscript here: Amy Clare Fontaine’s Thesis Manuscript

A revised version of this manuscript has just been accepted for publication in an academic journal, which will make it my first-ever first-authored scientific paper! Stay tuned here for the news about this release, as well as my brand-new short story coming out next month!

As always, thank you to my valued readers for your continued support! Blessed be.

Thesis Defense: Zoom Link/Info

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / Leave a comment

Hi everyone!

From those who receive my blog posts by email as a newsletter, I’ve been informed that the announcement image about my master’s thesis defense seminar was distorted and therefore not readable. I will type out the information in regular text below so you all have it:

Title: Management effects on gastrointestinal disease in red wolves (Canis rufus) under human care

Date/Time: Monday, June 17, 2024, 2-3 pm ET

In-person Location: David Clark Labs Room 139, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Zoom Info:

Link: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/96048622279?pwd=19m6Rh0mJRUbAzfwWlpqNUb5ymFkw8.1

Meeting ID: 960 4862 2279

Passcode: 159552

Thank you all so much for your support! I hope to see you there!

Come to my defense!

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / 3 Comments
Photo of knight kneeling on the ground
(No, not like this!)

Hi, everyone! I’m excited to announce that on Monday, June 17, 2024, from 2 to 3 pm Eastern Time, I will be presenting my master’s thesis research on how management practices impact the gut health of red wolves at a free public seminar at North Carolina State University! If you are unable to attend in person in Raleigh, a Zoom option is also available. Please see the seminar announcement below for details. See you there!

Announcement with a photo of a red wolf, courtesy of the North Carolina Zoo. Text: North Carolina State University Master's Defense Seminar - Biology - Amy Clare Fontaine. Management effects on gastrointestinal disease in red wolves (Canis rufus) under human care. Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Campbell. Monday June 17, 2024 at 2:00 pm. DCL 139 & via Zoom (Meeting ID: 960 4862 2279 & Passcode: 159552)

Tackling Climate Change (Repost from SimBio’s Blog)

/ Amy Clare Fontaine / Leave a comment

Hi, friends! I found a helpful article today that shares resources about how we can all make a difference to reduce the impacts of climate change. As a wildlife conservationist, I strongly believe that we should all do our part to keep our lovely planet healthy and thriving…and as a teaching assistant, I understand the need to empower our students, rather than demoralizing them. Here’s the article: https://simbio.com/tackling-climate-change/ Cheers!