Volume 1, No. 5. April 6, 2001
Diva Loca
Eric Eimstad, who has served the past eight years as director of marketing at Parrot Jungle and Gardens in Miami, Florida, is returning at the end of this month to his old haunts at the Miami Seaquarium, where he will be vice president of sales and marketing. This will be Eimstad’s third stint at the Seaquarium. He worked as a dolphin and killer whale trainer from 1976 to 1982, then, after earning a master’s in business, he returned as marketing director from 1986 to 1993 before moving to Parrot Jungle.
Though he recalls a couple of bossy whales during his training days, one of his most trying relationships with an animal has been with Tina, a 58-year-old white cockatoo at Parrot Jungle. The bird has done New York (the 1964 World’s Fair) and TV talk shows and now headlines the Trained Bird Show at Parrot Jungle. The bird is a bona fide star.
Eimstad, however, has always been partial to a younger cockatoo, Pinky. "He and I are buds," Eimstad said, noting that he and Tina never got along well (though she enjoys the company of her female trainers). Whenever Eimstad guided a group through the park’s exhibits, he called on Pinky to meet the press.
On one travel writers’ fam tour, Tina had tired of the snub. As Eimstad showed off Pinky, Tina jumped 12 feet down from her perch, charged Eimstad and grabbed hold of his shoe. "She would not let go," Eimstad said.
Though surprised by the attack on his pride and footwear, Eimstad stayed calm and awaited help from a trainer. His own experience as a trainer and now 15 years doing public relations obviously helps him maintain his composure when at the receiving end of hissy fit by a diva. And you can bet Tina will be among the first to bid Eimstad adieu.
©2001, Minton Enterprises LLC
All rights reserved