. >> atu marshall is an example of someone who began as a guide. >> i started as a teen volunteer whenwas 15. basically, i would stand in at the barn area and give any information about the animals to the public. >> now atu works full time at the zoo as an animal attendant. >> our teenagers are assisting with education programs, and some of the education programs actually make toys and foods for the animals, and they'll put them in the meerkats exhibit, and then the teen volunteers are helping out with those classes. also, some of our volunteers have been making up chats for the public that they'll give to groups that are going around the zoo. >> the meerkats -- they come from south africa. they live in the kalahari desert, so their natural habitat is to be in dry open plains. they tend to dig a lot, and they can be very destructive, so here at the zoo, we give them things such as boxes and papers to play with. >> if you're looking to become a discovery guide, there are a few skills you'll need. >> to be a good discovery guide, i think you have to really enjoy animals, and you have to