A Tahlequah native who discovered Tanganyika Wildlife Park as a high school student now helps care for one of the facility’s most recognizable residents.
Sierra Smith first learned about the Goddard, Kansas, wildlife park through a behind-the-scenes experience. She had loved pygmy hippos since second grade and visited the park several times before eventually applying for an internship.
The internship was supposed to last six months. Seven and a half years later, Smith is still at Tanganyika, where she works with Mars, the pygmy hippo who has attracted attention from people around the world.
How did you first discover Tanganyika Wildlife Park?
Smith attended Tahlequah High School when she learned about Tanganyika through a behind-the-scenes experience…