CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- My quest to try new jobs around town took me to new heights recently.
I trained with Justin Andelin who runs the Treetop Zoofari course at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Chesterfield.
Nikki-Dee learning from Justin Andelin
Andelin, who is the general manager, trained me to become a Treetop Zoofari Safety Officer.
Basically, my job was to ensure the safety of all participants.
But in order to do that, I needed to know how everything worked so I could rescue those who needed help.
A Treetop Zoofari Safety Officer must be able to complete an array of tasks and pass several competencies in order to be certified.
Here are a few of the tasks that must be completed:
Course Inspection
Inspect Parrot Plunge (tighten loose rocks, check wire placement, cable clips, shackles, and webbing on the plunge) Finish task by doing the plunge.
2. Physical strength and agility qualifier - Complete last four challenges of Treetop Zoofari course in reverse and under 2 minutes
3. Technical Rope Rescue – To complete final step only (self-evacuation) Repel off of X-9 and properly return gear.
Needless to say, it was HARD. I need bigger muscles!
