Welcome to Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo’s celebration of National Zookeeper Week! This week, from July 19th to July 25th, is dedicated to honoring the incredible zookeepers who tirelessly care for our animals and educate the public about wildlife conservation. Zookeepers play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of our animal residents, from feeding and medical care to enrichment activities and habitat maintenance. Their passion, dedication, and expertise are essential to our zoo’s success and our animals’ happiness.
We are immensely grateful for our zookeepers’ hard work and commitment. Their daily efforts make a significant difference in the lives of the animals and the experience of our visitors. In this blog, we are excited to highlight some of our amazing zookeepers, sharing their stories and insights into the rewarding and challenging world of zookeeping. Join us in celebrating these remarkable individuals who make our zoo a wonderful place for animals and visitors.
Meet Savannah:
Savannah’s favorite part of being a zookeeper is building bonds with the animals and experiencing the many different ways each species learns and behaves. One memorable moment was training the zoo’s newer camels to walk on a lead. Bill was especially difficult at first, so it was incredibly rewarding when things finally clicked and he walked perfectly with Savannah after weeks of training.
A typical day as a zookeeper involves a lot of cleaning. Savannah says every exhibit and behind-the-scenes area is cleaned daily, with encounters, feeding, observing, and training all fitting into the rest of the day. Zookeepers are there in all kinds of weather, including rain, snow, holidays, and sunshine.
Savannah wishes guests knew that keepers are always eager to answer questions about the animals. The team works with several different groups of animals throughout the zoo and loves sharing details like their names, ages, and personalities.
Behind the scenes, Savannah shared that the zoo houses Grant’s zebras, the smallest of the six subspecies of plains zebra. They naturally live in herds with one stallion and multiple mares, and the zoo’s zebra are no different. Each zebra has a name and can quickly be identified by the stripes above their tail.
For aspiring zookeepers, Savannah’s advice is to gain lots of experience with many different animals. College degrees are a huge plus, but experience is the main key. She recommends volunteering to find out if you can handle and enjoy the work, and exploring related fields like wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary technician work, or ranch hand positions to build your resume and discover what you love.
Meet Karissa:
Karissa loves working with various unique animals and finds bonding closely with certain ones particularly special. One memorable moment involved gaining the trust of a new lemur at the facility who had been struggling to interact with other keepers. Karissa spent time with the lemur and built a connection allowing for positive interactions.
From a young age, Karissa desired to work closely with exotic animals. Although the veterinary field felt too medical, zookeeping offered the perfect balance. A typical day begins with checking emails and the enrichment sheet to see which animals need enrichment. Karissa then gathers diets and supplies, checks enclosure temperatures, and spends several hours cleaning exhibits. Afterward, diets are prepared, shows are performed, and various projects and mammal encounters are conducted. The day ends with cleaning tasks, logging activities, and completing enrichment sheets.
Karissa advises aspiring zookeepers to understand that the job involves more cleaning than one might expect and requires comfort with public speaking. A degree and internships are essential along with making connections through volunteer work and keeping good references. Persistence is key as the job can be challenging to enter but becomes more manageable once established.
Meet Deana:
Deana loves bonding with the animals and seeing them every day, knowing that her efforts help give them a great life. She enjoys sharing her experiences with others and is always enthusiastic about discussing her job. My most memorable moment this year was completing the squirrel monkey exhibit and seeing them in there for the first time. This was my first time seeing the process of an exhibit being built from the ground up and being a part of their release into their enclosure. It was so cool seeing how excited the animals were by the new space and how they adapted to it in the following weeks.
Growing up on a cattle farm, Deana was always surrounded by animals and watched her grandfather care for them, which left a lasting impression on her life. A typical day for Deana involves hours of cleaning, feeding, and general caretaking of the animals in the morning. Throughout the day, she maintains enclosures and engages in private educational encounters with guests and interactive shows.
Here is a fascinating behind-the-scenes story about Zookeepers. They are also responsible for non-animal-related tasks such as painting the mesh on exhibits and adding decor like
tree branches, plants, and ropes. When looking at the exhibits, remember that zookeepers have a significant hand in their upkeep.
Deana advises aspiring zookeepers to understand that zookeeping is far from just “playing” with animals. It is a labor-intensive job that requires being on your feet for long hours and doing much heavy lifting. Tasks also include mowing, weeding, painting bars, and adding new branches to enclosures.
Meet Amber:
Amber loves working with a wide variety of mammals and birds, including small mammals, hoofstock, primates, large carnivores, and parrots. Caring for these animals is a gratifying job that brings immense satisfaction. One memorable moment was celebrating Tilly’s 6th birthday, a common brown lemur, by making her a birthday card for enrichment.
Amber’s passion for working with animals was sparked in high school during an environmental science class focused on conserving endangered and threatened species. The inspiring teacher helped Amber realize that a career in zookeeping was the perfect fit. A typical day involves cleaning exhibits, making diets, feeding the animals, and conducting shows and encounters for guests.
A behind-the-scenes story that visitors might not know is that the zookeeper team engages in bonding activities, from jamming to music in the kitchen while preparing diets to painting boxes and other items for enrichment outside of work. For aspiring zookeepers, Amber advises gaining hands-on experience through volunteering or internships at rehabilitation facilities or zoos and pursuing a degree in an animal-related field like Zoology or Wildlife Biology.
Meet Kendall:
Kendall loves being a zookeeper because of the opportunity to learn something new every day. A particularly memorable moment was during one of Kendall’s first lion shows, where the male lion stood up on command for the first time, showcasing a rewarding interaction with such a magnificent animal. This passion for animals developed over time, leading Kendall to switch majors to animal science and pursue a dream job as a zookeeper.
A typical day for Kendall involves ensuring all the animals’ homes are clean and feeding some of them. Educational shows are a highlight, where guests learn about the fantastic animals in Kendall’s care. One-on-one encounters with guests and educational animals add to the day’s activities and animal maintenance to ensure their health. The day ends with settling the animals in for the night before heading home.
A behind-the-scenes story that stands out for Kendall is the arrival of the skunks. Having never been close to a skunk before, Kendall was amazed by their sweetness and quickly grew fond of them. For aspiring zookeepers, Kendall’s advice is never to give up, as getting into the animal field can be challenging. Following your passion for working with animals and continuously learning is critical to success.
Meet Emrye
With a passion for both conservation and education, Emrye found zookeeping to be the perfect path. Her role allows her to care for animals while also inspiring others to care about wildlife.
Each day is different. From cleaning, feeding, and health checks to enclosure upkeep and even paperwork, Emrye works hard to make sure every animal receives excellent care. One of her most rewarding experiences has been working with Birdshot, a mini zebu cow who has grown more trusting and comfortable through training.
She encourages anyone interested in this career to apply for every opportunity. A strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and hands-on dedication can go a long way in this field.
Meet Kim
Kim took a non-traditional path into zookeeping. While earning her bachelor’s degree, she had the chance to work with snakes at another facility, which sparked a deeper passion for reptiles and led her to pursue a career in the field.
One of her favorite parts of the job is forming strong bonds with the animals and getting to showcase their unique personalities, especially during educational shows. She also enjoys seeing guests interact with reptiles for the first time and watching their perspectives change.
A recent memorable moment for Kim has been training with our beaded lizards and Gila monsters. One of her favorite behaviors is when they drink from a squeeze bottle — a simple moment that shows how special and interactive reptiles can be.
From daily husbandry and feeding routines to training sessions and zoo improvement projects, Kim plays a vital role in animal care. She encourages future zookeepers to gain hands-on experience by volunteering and putting themselves out there.
Meet Alex
Alex loves building connections with the animals and getting to see their individual personalities shine through each day. One of Alex’s most special bonds is with Tajiri, a 3-year-old African dwarf crocodile who was born right here at the zoo and even gets birthday parties! Alex enjoys “Taj cuddle time” whenever possible, especially when Tajiri nestles on her chest and falls asleep.
Alex was inspired to become a zookeeper because of a love for reptiles, which she describes as beautiful, intelligent, and often misunderstood. A typical day is never truly typical, since animal care requires flexibility, but it always includes feeding schedules, cleaning, education, public outreach, and plenty of mystery stains on clothes. Alex wishes more people understood how much daily care goes into each animal and how deeply the care teams love them.
Behind the scenes, Alex shared that the zoo’s ZAA accreditation allows the team to be part of exciting breeding programs, including work with critically endangered pancake tortoises. Guests can see the parents near the black mamba exhibit or even meet them during a private encounter. For aspiring zookeepers, Alex’s advice is to protect your mental health, stay compassionate, and always be open to learning. In a field that is constantly growing, Alex believes every chance to expand your knowledge is part of what makes zookeeping so rewarding.
Meet Sabrina
Sabrina loves being a zookeeper because she has always felt happiest working with animals and helping them thrive. Knowing that her daily care makes a difference in their lives is incredibly rewarding, and she cannot imagine doing anything else.
One memorable moment for Sabrina has been interacting with Tilly, the zoo’s common brown lemur, and seeing Tilly become open and comfortable with her as someone new. Sabrina has been drawn to animals since childhood and always knew she wanted a career where she could care for them. That passion has only grown over time and continues to inspire her to be the best zookeeper she can be.
A typical day for Sabrina is always different, but it is always centered around the animals’ well-being. Her work includes preparing diets, cleaning habitats, observing behavior, and providing enrichment. One thing Sabrina wishes more people knew is how unique each animal is, with each one having their own personality and little quirks.
Behind the scenes, Sabrina says Gracie, the zoo’s umbrella cockatoo, loves to talk and say “hello” while his enclosure is being cleaned in the mornings. For aspiring zookeepers, her biggest advice is to get as much experience as possible. Volunteering, internships, and every opportunity to work with animals can teach something new and help prepare someone for a career in zookeeping.
Meet Madison
Madison loves that being a zookeeper means going home each day having learned something new. The job is both rewarding and challenging, and working with animals requires a willingness to keep learning, shift perspective, and improve.
One memorable experience for Madison has been watching the baby West African dwarf crocodiles grow up. They are almost a year old now, and Madison says it has been an exceptional privilege to see them grow in both size and personality.
Madison’s path to zookeeping was not what she originally expected. Although she has always had a deep love and respect for animals, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology before taking the opportunity to work with animals in a way she had never thought possible.
A typical day is busier than many people may expect. Along with caring for the animals, Madison spends a lot of time working with visitors and educating them about the zoo’s animals. She wishes people knew how much the keepers love the animals they care for and how rewarding it is to earn their trust and comfort.
Behind the scenes, Madison says visitors might be surprised by how much personality reptiles can have. For example, Leo the Burmese python can be very stubborn when he does not get what he wants, but at other times, he is as sweet as can be. For aspiring zookeepers, Madison’s advice is to remember that animal care is only part of the job. Zookeepers also educate the public and contribute to conservation efforts, and if those efforts help even one animal, it makes the work worth it.
Meet Kieran
Kieran loves getting to bond with the animals and using each day as an opportunity to better their care. For Kieran, learning something new is an important part of becoming a better keeper, and improving that knowledge has a meaningful impact on the animals.
One memorable moment was meeting Nutmeg, one of the zoo’s lemurs. Kieran had been told Nutmeg could be more reserved than some of the other animal ambassadors, but as soon as they greeted her, Nutmeg began grooming them and sat on their shoulders. It was one of the most beautiful moments Kieran has experienced as a keeper and deepened their love for primates.
Kieran’s inspiration started in childhood, spending time outdoors studying little critters and watching animal shows and documentaries. After learning more about extinction and the threats animals face, Kieran became determined to better understand those issues and find responsible ways to help.
A typical day as a zookeeper is nonstop movement. From the moment Kieran arrives to the moment they leave, the day is focused on animal care, enrichment, exhibit improvements, and learning more about each species and individual personality. Kieran wishes guests knew how much special attention each animal receives, from favorite fruits and enrichment preferences to even favorite songs.
Behind the scenes, Kieran shared that the older fennec foxes get so excited in the mornings that they scream and wag their tails, ready to play chase. Every day, Kieran sets their things down and runs back and forth along the mesh so the foxes can chase them. For aspiring zookeepers, Kieran’s advice is to stay passionate, keep learning, and not let the competitiveness of the field discourage you. Small opportunities can become the start of a meaningful career, especially for those ready for hard work.
Conclusion
As National Zookeeper Week comes to a close, we at Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated and passionate zookeepers. Their tireless work and unwavering commitment to animal care and conservation make a significant impact on both the lives of our animal residents and the experiences of our visitors. Through their stories, we hope you have gained a deeper appreciation for the remarkable individuals who devote their lives to nurturing and protecting wildlife.
Each zookeeper’s journey is unique, filled with memorable moments, challenges, and triumphs. From building trust with the animals to educating the public and inspiring the next generation, their roles are as diverse as the animals they care for. We are incredibly proud of our team and the love and dedication they bring to their work every day.
Stay curious, stay inspired, and always keep learning about the amazing animals that make our world so special. We look forward to welcoming you to Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo, where you can see the dedication of our zookeepers in action and experience the wonder of wildlife up close.
