Emma Gilbert: From Dolphin Trainer to Director of Animal Care
Growing up in Eagle Pass, Texas, Emma recalls memorable beach trips to Corpus Christi with her mom, which ignited her love of marine animals. The joy she felt in this atmosphere was so great, that Emma knew this was her future career path.
After finishing college, she earned her first job at an ecological park called Xcaret, right outside of Cancun, and worked there for a couple of years. She got a job at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville and worked there for a year before learning of the upcoming Dolphin Bay Project at the Texas State Aquarium in 2003.
Her goal of working with dolphins was within reach again, and she began working as a part-time Assistant Seasonal Trainer and has been with the Texas State Aquarium since.
Even though her dream seemed far-fetched at one point, Emma thinks about how she pushed through to make it a reality, along with the constant support from her mom, and the faith that the aquarium staff had in her to keep her around as they continued to grow and evolve.
Emma has now been living out her dream of working with dolphins for over 20 years and was recently promoted to Director of Animal Care where she oversees all animal areas, including the rescue center.
In her new position, everything revolves around ensuring animal safety, comfortability, happiness, and care. This could range from assisting with animal care at the rescue center to attending animal events held at the aquarium and assisting her team to ensure success for all involved.
“The incredible thing is that even though every day has pretty much the same structure, there are no two days that are alike,” she explains. “We get there, and the animals indicate what’s going to happen that day based on their needs.”
There’s also time for animal birthday parties! When one of the dolphins turned 17, he got a cake made of ice, gelatin, and fish, and a celebration filled with love. While many people are skeptical about whether the animals feel happiness, the team at the aquarium strives to make the animals feel happiness amidst everything else, and Emma feels incredibly lucky to be a part of that.
As the aquarium grows, Emma continues to learn everything from the animals’ lifestyle and activities to movements and needs, especially since animal care is an ongoing operation. After regular operating hours, the aquarium has a 24-hour biological team that comes in to take care of the animals overnight, and the aquarium staff also works on holidays to care for the animals.
“Those days are so much fun because it’s just us with the animals,” says Emma. “You see a completely different aquarium at that time.”
One of Emma’s favorite parts of the day is walking through the aquarium and seeing kids make connections with the animals, with very specific questions from wondering why the sea otter isn’t out to inquiring about a toy they saw a dolphin with during their last visit.
“Seeing kids make connections with the animals is amazing,” she explains. “In turn, they’re going to love, appreciate, and protect the animals. They’re the next generation of what we do.”
Emma remembers a specific instance of a small child with an animal-loving heart and a determined soul who raised money to help care for a baby otter named Austin. A couple years ago, Austin was found on the side of the road and brought into their rescue program, but his prognosis was not good. His story was posted to social media, and when the little girl learned of it, she sold chocolate covered strawberries, then took her earnings to the aquarium to donate for Austin’s care. She has since continued to raise money and donate more, but what stayed with Emma was the love and passion that such a small child could feel for animals.
Emma’s journey is proof that hard work pays off, but determination, grit, and passion will allow you to live out your dreams. She advises anyone with a dream to “get out and talk to people. Do the internship. Volunteer. Go out and get experience in any capacity because it all helps so much.”