Interview with Seaworld & Busch Garden's Julie Scardina

Julie Scardina’s first career was training Shamu the killer whale, as well as dolphins, sea lions, walruses and many other species. Now as SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove Animal Ambassador and zoological corporate curator, Julie works hand-in-hand with trainers at each park to evaluate and train animals and people for educational and media appearances and shares her life-long love of animals and the parks’ commitment to wildlife education and conservation with audiences ranging from children in classrooms to millions of viewers on national television.

          Julie serves on the board of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund supporting conservation education, habitat protection, species research and animal rescue and rehabilitation. In this role she often has the opportunity to travel to conservation and environmental projects around the world experiencing the conservation work first hand while meeting the scientists and other dedicated people making a difference.

            Julie is actively involved with several other conservation organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund, where she serves on the National Council and as a board member on the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program where Julie mentors up-and-coming leaders in conservation.

          Julie is a monthly guest on NBC’s “Today,” and continues to appear as a long time regular guest on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”  She appeared for many years on animal personality Jack Hanna’s show “Animal Adventures.”

Julie graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in biology from San Diego State University.