ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 6, 1996 TAG: 9607080066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND (AP)
SOURCE: JANET CAGGIANO RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
JANA METZGER doesn't train her animals to perform, but rather educates others as to how they really live.
Jana Metzger has never lost sight of her mission.
As an 11-year-old, she spent her spare time training horses because she admired the animals. By the time she was 15, she was volunteering at zoos and for breeders so she could learn about exotic animals.
``My goal has always been to educate people about animals and keep their environment within focus,'' Metzger, now 32, said. ``It is important to teach people who don't know much about them to respect them.''
With that agenda in mind, Metzger established Working Wildlife, an environmental education service, in January. The business specializes in educating children and adults about exotic animals.
Along with 10 volunteers, Metzger visits schools, nursing homes, museums, libraries, Girl Scout troops and parks to teach visitors about the different breeds of animals and their natural habitats. She takes along a cougar, a timber wolf cub, an emu, a coati-mundi, potbellied pigs, reptiles and birds.
She talks about each animal's history, favorite foods, habits and life cycle.
``I hope I am bringing about concern for the animals,'' she said. ``I always pull their environment into the discussion. That's where they live, and that's what needs to be protected.''
During the presentations, animals never do tricks. Instead, they do what comes naturally. The cougar shows off his jumping ability, while the armadillo digs.
``We aren't trying to amuse the audience,'' she said. ``We want to increase awareness for the preservation of the animals.''
Metzger buys her animals from breeders when they are babies so she can begin forming a bond with them. She handles each animal every day, she said, so they get used to walking on a leash and being around people.
The 20 animals are kept on a large farm in western Hanover County.
``With wild animals, you always have to keep that respect,'' Metzger said. ``When they want to be left alone, you leave them alone. When they are tired, you let them rest.''
Metzger learned about exotic animals through experience. She not only volunteered to work with them as a teen-ager in Illinois, but has spent the past 20 years working as an animal handler for companies similar to Working Wildlife. She began planning her own business two years ago.
She moved to Richmond in 1986 and now lives in western Henrico County with her three sons - Robert, 11; Quinton, 9; and Helmut, 3. All three help their mother feed and water the animals, as well as clean up after them.
``We don't play with them like they were our pets,'' Robert said. ``They are more dangerous. They have big teeth and claws.''
Metzger shows off those attributes during presentations. By targeting children, she said, she hopes to help them develop a concern for the animals at an early age.
So far, it seems to be working.
``People, not just children, are fascinated by these animals,'' said Karen Perkins, special events coordinator for the Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks. Metzger visited several Henrico parks during the spring. ``It is important for them to get exposure to things they may never get the opportunity to see.''
When Metzger visited schools this spring, some students mistook her emu for a chicken.
``People don't know their animals, and they know less about their environment,'' Metzger said. ``These animals are ambassadors for the animals in the wild. They educate in a way no other medium can.''
While education is the main focus of Working Wildlife, it is not the only part of the business. Metzger also provides some of her animals, such as barnyard animals and reptiles, for children's birthday parties.
Others will star in commercials and magazine ads.
Eventually, she hopes to expand the educational aspect of her business so that she can open the wildlife sanctuary to the public. In the meantime, she will continue to bring her animals to the community. Her weekends already are booked for the next five months.
``Animals really spark an interest in people,'' Metzger said. ``That's good. Because getting the word out is what is going to bring about the conservation of the animals.''
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Jana Metzger, shown in this June 24 file photo,by CNBtries to get people accustomed to the tendencies of many exotic
animals, including this 1-year-old cougar named Puma.