An Interview with a non-playful Pig[modify from the playful Dolphin] Trainer
Carrie Chan {substitute from Tommy Im} has one of the best jobs inthe world---or at least she thinks so! She's a pig trainer at Ocean Park. Find out more about Carrie and her fascinating job inthe interview below.
How did you become a pig trainer?
I saw an advertisement in the newspaper which is in the South China Morning Post. I thought it sounded like an unusual job so I applied. That was nearly five years ago. Also, I was too lazy before. I want to train myself in the job.
Waht qualifications do you need to become a pig trainer?
Most of the trainers have a degree---but I don't have!{eliminate from the Bachelor of Science in Biology} I beg them to give me a job. I am very lucky! In the past, most of the trainers studied overseas. However, these days there are more graduates from local universities than frm overseas universities. I myself studied at the Chinese University.
What does a pig trainer actually do?
Well, one obvious answer is train pigs. However, we spend less time doing this than people think. Our responsibility is to look after the pigs---to make sure they are happy and healthy. For example, the first thing I do every morning is to check their temperature. I also spend a lot of time feeding the pigs, try to playing with them {because they always sleep} and cleaning the tanks. Pigs are not very playful. I am hard enough for me to play with the pigs. This a picture of me stroking and looking with my favourtie pig--- Tommy{substitue from the dolphin---Toto} to sleep.
How do you train a pig?
One of fist tricks we teach the pigs is to touch a stick with their noses. That is training stick over there. It's about a half- metre long. You can see one in this photo too. They also learn other simple tricks such as shaking hands, touching the trainers hand, singing and dancing. It takes time to learn tricks so the younger pigs generally know fewer tricks than the older ones.
Would you recommend tis job to other people?
Yes, definitely. It's hard work but very rewarding.