National Zoo Keeper Week 2023

Farm Manager at the Bowers School Farm in Bloomfield Township, Michigan

"Though not a zoo - I am part of the Animal Welfare and Care team, providing overall care and support for the livestock at Bowers School Farm. Part of the work of being on the team also leads the education and support to the volunteers that care for the animals. Including birth management, vet visits, pen cleaning, daily chores, and all the in-between working with 4-H and FFA youth education, my responsibilities are vast and rewarding."

Current AIP student

AIP Site: Detroit Zoological Society

Curator at Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York

"As the Curator of the Wolf Conservation Center, I am responsible for the health and well-being of over 30 wolves that reside at the center. We have critically endangered red and Mexican gray wolves as well as three ambassador wolves. The image I shared is of myself handling two Mexican gray wolf pups that are less that 14 day old before they were cross fostered to a wild den."

GFP Graduate

Lead Trainer Cat Ambassador Program at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio

"I manage the Cat Ambassador Program at the Cincinnati Zoo. We raise, train and care for ambassador animals to educate and inspire our visitors about the plight of endangered animals and how we can protect all species that share the earth with us. We have one of the only public cheetah runs in the country! I am also a CLL for the Namibia II Earth Expeditions course this year."

GFP graduate

Wildlife Care Specialist at San Diego Zoo Safari Park - with ambassador wildlife in San Diego, California

"As a wildlife care specialist, it is my responsibility to provide optimal care for the wildlife species I work with. Over my career I have worked with various species, including giant pandas, hippos, crocodiles, okapi, cheetahs and this lovely (80 pound, 13 foot long) Burmese python! I feel very grateful to be working my dream job!"

Current AIP student

AIP Site: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Animal Keeper at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington

"I mostly work with African ungulates. I currently primarily work with giraffes."

AIP Graduate

AIP Site: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Supervisor of Fish and Invertebrates at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut

"My role involves providing support to my Aquarist team who work with a wide variety of aquatic animals. In my time as an Aquarist, I’ve worked with both saltwater and freshwater systems which includes sharks, jellies, corals and many more. My favorite group of animals to work with are Zebra sharks. I can’t rename the photo from my phone… but it’s Costagliola"

GFP graduate

Education Programs Supervisor at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens in Naples, Florida

"As the Education Programs Supervisor, my role is not only to keep children safe during our programs but also our small but quirky collection of education ambassador animals. Some animals in our collection include a radiated tortoise who loves to target for cactus, lesser tenrecs who nap more than six months of the year, and giant African millipedes all named after donuts. While I’m not their full-time keeper I help with feedings, trainings, and some basic care. My educators are trained to properly handle and use these animals to help build a deeper connection between the content learned and the natural world."

GFP graduate

Animal Resources Volunteer at Cincinnati Museum Center in Cincinnati, Ohio

"Cincinnati Museum Center has a group of about 25 rescued big brown bats that I help to care for on a weekly basis. I feed, water and clean cages along with helping in bathing and health care of the resident bats. I also participate in their Bat Free Flight program which allows the public to get up close and personal with the bats and helps to educate the community about the benefits of our bat friends. I have been working with the bats at the museum center for a year and really enjoy interacting with both the bats and the public."

Current AIP student

AIP Site: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Zookeeper 3 - Primates at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati

"I work with our closest living relatives! Primates are especially vulnerable to things like the illegal pet trade and human wildlife conflict, so an important part of my job besides daily husbandry is conservation education and advocacy! Zookeeping allows me to be an active participant in conservation, while also educating my community."

GFP graduate

Lead Animal Care Specialist at Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina

"We care for a wide variety of animals, including black bears, red wolves, ring-tailed lemurs, goats, chickens, a donkey, cattle, songbirds, turtles, snakes, and a mink. Most of my day is spent cleaning and feeding. I especially love taking time to train, provide enrichment, and observe each animal's unique personality and behaviors. Many of the animals are rescued pets or are no longer able to survive in the wild due to injuries. It's wonderful to be able to share their stories with people to create connections with nature and help them learn how to protect wild animals."

Current GFP graduate

Animal Wellbeing Specialist at Zoo Miami in Miami, Florida

"I just started this new position a few months ago as an Animal Wellbeing Specialist at Zoo Miami. I previously worked as a Zookeeper for The Phoenix Zoo. Here at Miami, I am responsible for ensuring the welfare of the animals under our care. That includes documenting behavior and other welfare indicators to assess animal wellbeing. It also involves working with keeper staff to implement interventions to improve quality of life for our animals, whether it's through husbandry routine changes or enrichment."

Current AIP student

AIP Site: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Senior Cat Ambassador Trainer at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio

"I am a senior animal trainer and educator in the Cat Ambassador Program at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. In this role over the last five years, I have worked with eleven cheetahs (hand raised two cubs), servals, ocelots, a red river hog, an African crested porcupine, multiple house cats and three cheetah companion dogs. I do educational programs with these animals ranging from cheetah runs, scripted experiences, traveling to schools, special appearances, news/media programs etc. I was featured on programs such as the Disney+ show, “It’s a Dog’s Life” and has been interviewed by Cincinnati Magazine , Inside Edition and the Cincinnati Zoo’s podcast, Zoo Tales. I previously worked at other zoos as an Animal Outreach Trainer in similar roles."

Current GFP student

Senior Cat Ambassador Trainer at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio

"I have been at San Antonio Zoo for nine years, primarily working with primates and carnivores. My favorite animals to care for are bears, white-cheeked gibbons, and Francois langurs. My daily tasks largely consist of husbandry activities, such as cleaning, preparing diets, and providing enrichment. I enjoy training and have trained a range of behaviors such as kennel and scale, body presentations for voluntary injections, and rehabilitation behaviors with a variety of species."

GFP graduate

Interpretive Naturalist at Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross, Georgia

"I help care for the animal ambassadors at the park including American Alligators, Black Bears, a Corn Snake, Gopher Tortoises, Box Turtles, Hogs, and Chickens."

Current GFP student

Ambassador Animal Resource Keeper-I at The Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Arizona

"I have the honor and privilege of working with over 140 different mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. I introduce the public and guests to the important roles we play in conserving species locally and globally. I personally love working with snakes and vultures in Arizona and teaching about their amazing roles in helping human health!"

Current AIP student

AIP Site: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Ambassador Animal Resource Keeper-I at The Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Arizona

"I worked at the Honolulu zoo for 22 years as a Zookeeper. I was fortunate enough to be able to work with most of the collection animals. Zookeeping was my dream job when I started, but over the years became physically and mentally taxing. I graduated from the GFP program with a Masters in Biology. My masters degree has enabled me to step out of the zookeeping field and into a water conservation position which has lifted a glass ceiling and provided financial security."

GFP graduate

Zookeeper at African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio

"I have the opportunity to work with a large variety of animals of all shapes and sizes from tarantulas to giraffes and everything in between. My favorite part of my job is building trust and relationships with all of the animals in my care and sharing with the guests the amazement of all of these animals."

AIP graduate

AIP Site:

Senior Wildlife Care Specialist at San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California

"I work in the zoo’s new Wildlife Explorers’ Basecamp area with ambassador animals."

AIP graduate

AIP Site: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Mammal keeper Assistant at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida

"I am a mammal keeper assistant at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens where I specialize with Capybara, Anteaters, Sloth, and Emus. "

Current AIP student

AIP Site: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Senior Wildlife Care Specialist at San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California

"I work in the Wildlife Explorers department at the San Diego Safari Park. My department run the Journey into the Wild presentation at the park. This is a brand new experience from the former Bird show, which we still love and miss. This new presentation includes wildlife that is found in southwest US and the Amazon."

GFP graduate

Cheetah Trainer at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio

"I take care of all the animals in the Cat Ambassador Program. We have not only cheetahs, but also servals, a red river hog, domestic cats, an ocelot, and of course the domestic cheetah companion dogs! It's my dream job and I love working with animals every day!"

AIP graduate

AIP Site: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Animal Care Specialist at Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina

"Every day is an adventure. Depending on the day I could taking care of anything from a snake or song bird to a red wolf or bear. Typically, I am working in our farmyard taking care of domestic hoofstock species and chickens. You can usually find me with our Donkey, Lightning, who goes out for a walk every day."

AIP graduate

AIP Site: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Science Director at McKinley Presidential Library and Museum in Canton, Ohio

"At the museum we house 30 animals that are rescued, orphaned, and/ or injured. Our animals can't live in the wild or with previous owners. They are non releasable. I maintain native and non native species from opossums to corn snakes and everything in between. I have animal care staff that works on everyday duties with me. We present educational outreach on the importance of sustaining native and non native wildlife."

AIP graduate

AIP Site: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Volunteer animal care at Raptor Hallow Sanctuary in Alliance, Ohio

"At RHS I helped with training, food prep and husbandry for multiple birds and mammals. Enzo the Eurasian eagle owl is my favorite bird to train and care for."

Current AIP student

AIP Site: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Senior Ambassador Animal Specialist at Dallas Zoo in Dallas, Texas

"As a Senior Ambassador Animal Specialist, my job combines animal care, training, and education. While I love participating in our free-flight bird shows, I equally enjoy informally discussing with guests how they can help to create a better world for animals. My favorite animals to work with are our Virginia Opossum, Franklin (in picture) and Eurasian Eagle Owl, Ziggy!"

Current GFP graduate

Volunteer with the Marine Mammal Rescue Team at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida

"While I advise and facilitate the AIP program at JZG, I also volunteer with the Marine Mammal Rescue Team here, specifically, manatee rescue, rehab, and release. As FL is my new home, I fell in love with these incredible animals, and invested my free time to their welfare, both with rescues, educating the public at the zoo through conservation chats, and learning all I can about their welfare and wellbeing. Jacksonville Zoo is one of 6 critical care centers around the state offering rescue, rehab, and release of our native Florida manatees."

GFP graduate

Zookeeper at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan

"After several internships, a seasonal primate position in Indianapolis, and a swing keeper position at a small Illinois zoo, I landed my dream position in my dream zoo as a keeper working with chimpanzees at John Ball Zoo. Getting to build relationships, learning about their personalities, and getting so close to one of my favorite animals has been a dream and it is still crazy that I get paid for what I do."

Current AIP Student

AIP Site: Brookfield Zoo

Zoological Manager of Carnivores at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio

"I support and coordinate daily operations for the Zoo's Carnivore Teams. This includes Night Hunters (Malayan tiger, cougar, snow leopard, clouded leopard, fishing cat, ocelot, and various small carnivores) and North America (Mexican gray wolf, black bear, gray fox, North American River otters, sea otters, and West Indian Manatees). Daily operations for the specific animal areas includes supervising keeper staff in husbandry, animal training, and program development and implementation."

AIP graduate

AIP Site: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Wild Animal Keeper at Central Park Zoo in New York, New York

"I work with snow leopards, red pandas, sea lions, penguins, snow monkeys, hoofstock, waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians, and a sassy kestrel named Jill. Most recently I've become a grizzly bear keeper, but baby penguins still have my heart. As a keeper you wear a lot of hats-trainer, cleaner, nutritionist/chef, groundskeeper, repair person, water quality tech, life support tech, etc. It's a lot of work that often goes unrecognized."

Current GFP student

Veterinary Hospital Manager at Catalina Pet Hospital in Tucson, Arizona

"We care for dogs and cats and occasionally wildlife. We are responsible for making sure that they have the proper preventative care. We practice fear free visits and low stress environment."

GFP graduate

Congo Expedition/Orangutan Zoo Keeper at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio

"For the past 10 years, I have been a zoo keeper caring for Bornean orangutans, bonobos, gorillas, mandrills, African leopards, guereza colobus, and okapi at the Columbus Zoo. Prior to that, I was a keeper at the Hattiesburg Zoo in MS. I am currently secretary on our Training Committee. I am a member of the focus teams for our orangutans, mandrills, and bonobos. Training and enrichment are my favorite things about being a keeper and I think networking with other keepers around the world about these topics is super beneficial! I also really love helping to educate visitors on conservation efforts and the ill effects of the wildlife pet trade/keeping primates as pets."

GFP graduate

Mammal Keeper - Farm/Ambassador at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, South Carolina

"In a typical day I do everything from cleaning and feeding to training and enriching to teaching and doing animal encounters. The best part of my day is when someone learns something new, whether that’s a zoo camp kid learning about a new species or an animal learning a new training behavior."

AIP graduate

AIP Site: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Hoofstock Zoo Keeper at San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco, California

Current GFP student

Seasonal Animal Care Specialist at Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Illinois

"At Brookfield Zoo, I am split between the Play Zoo and the Living Coast. I work with animals such as wallabies, goats, alpacas, and reptiles. While working with the penguins, I lead penguin encounters and gain the opportunity to educate people about penguins and why it's essential to protect the ocean."

Current AIP student

AIP Site: Brookfield Zoo

Zookeeper at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan

"I work as a hoofstock keeper. I take care of a pair of Black Rhinos, herds of Bongos, Elk, and Tufted Deer in addition to a mob of Kangaroos, a Giant Anteater, and a whole farm yard of animals!"

AIP graduate

Zookeeper at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan

"As an Animal Keeper, I work with a wide variety of animals (working most closely with Amur leopards, snow leopard, lar gibbons, Chilean flamingos, and laughing kookaburras). My days are always different and filled with training sessions, providing enrichment, animal observations, and guest engagement."

AIP graduate

Animal Keeper at Santa Barbara Zoo in Santa Barbara, California

"I am my zoo's Swing Keeper, which means that I am trained in all animal areas and fill in where needed. Most days you'll find me bouncing around between several different areas."

Current AIP student

AIP Site: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens