Posts Tagged ‘zookeeper’

Jul
01

Screening Passes to Zookeeper, the Movie

Posted by in Contest,Events

The Houston Zoo along with the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) has partnered with Sony Pictures for the release of the new Kevin James movie, Zookeeper.  In this heart-warming story about a zookeeper, Griffin Keyes (James) who finds himself more comfortable with animals than with the ladies. In order to break into the dating scene, Griffin decides he must leave the Zoo and find a more appealing career. However, the animals love him so much that they decide to break their code of silence and reveal that they can talk – all the while giving Griffin tips on dating and love taken straight from the animal kingdom.

You could have the chance to go to a special screening of this movie on Thursday, July 7, before it comes out in theatres. Just comment on this blog post in the comment box below – tell us, if you could be a zookeeper at the Houston Zoo, which exhibit would you work in? The first 50 commenters will receive the code to redeem a screening pass for two.

Special screening info -
Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Edwards Greenway Palace Stadium 24
3839 Weslayan
Houston, TX 77027

Seating is based on a first come, first serve basis, so please arrive early in order to ensure you receive seats for the screening.

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Jul
08

Meet the Staff: Judy McAuliffe

Posted by in Behind the Scenes,Chimpanzees,Featured,Keepers,Meet the Staff,Primates

It is easy to see that this office belongs to a primate keeper! Judy is surrounded by orangutan paintings in her office.

Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Section: Primates- Chimpanzee Supervisor
Quote: “Never believe anything you read.”
Special Interests/ Hobbies:
Horseback riding and reading.
Interesting Facts:
I’ve know nearly 200 chimps during my career and lived in 6 different states in 4 different time zones.
  

What made you want to become a zookeeper?
I spent summers with my aunt, uncle and cousins, and they took us to the Sealife park in Galveston when I was 13 years old.  I used to want to be a dolphin trainer, but then I saw my first chimp and it was all over. 

  

What is your education, training, and previous institution(s) you attended before coming to the Houston Zoo?
I started volunteering at the Santa Barbara Zoo in 1988. I attended Moorpark College for Exotic Animal Training and Management, graduating in 1991.  I have worked at the Primate Foundation of Arizona and the Riverside Zoo in Nebraska caring for chimpanzees.  I also worked at Disney with primates and elephants, and in Bastrop, Texas at MD Anderson caring for their chimpanzees.  I have been here at the Houston Zoo since this April.   

What sort of advice would you give to anyone wanting to enter the zoo field?
Be prepared to do anything.  Volunteer and be patient. Don’t expect to get your dream job right away. You might have to work with animals that aren’t on the top of your list before you can work with animals that are your first choice.    

What is your favorite animal story?
My favorite chimp I ever worked with was named Pani.  Pani was 36 years old and had never had a baby of her own, although she had been an “auntie” a few times and really liked babies and young chimps.  Riverside Zoo (where I was working at the time) took in an orphaned infant chimp from Sedgewick County Zoo named Imara.  We introduced Imara to Pani and Pani was unbelievably patient and kind and soon won over Imara (he had been scared of her at first) and she became his mother for the next 6 years.   

To see the latest update on the Chimp building construction, visit the Official Houston Zoo Blog.   

To learn more about Chimpanzees visit http://www.houstonzoo.org/chimpanzee/   

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Jun
30

Meet the Staff: Jennifer Stevenson

Posted by in Behind the Scenes,Elephants,Featured,Keepers,Tortoise,Vet Clinic,Volunteers

Jenn shows off Miles, a Texas Tortoise, who is a resident animal at the ClinicHometown: Corpus Christi, TXSection: Clinic- Clinic KeeperSpecial Interests/ Hobbies:Anything outdoors, 4-wheeling in Goliad, TX and fishing.Interesting Fact:I have an identical twin sister.What made you want to become a zookeeper?I've always loved animals . I originally started volunteering in elephants and then was hired as a keeper there. I then transferred to the clinic so I could work with a greater variety of animals.How would you describe your job duties?As clinic keepers we are mainly in charge of daily husbandry. That means we clean, feed, medicate, and observe clinic “patients”. We also assist vets with treatments of the animals.We also maintain quarantine, and its animals. Zoo quarantine is not for sick animals, it is used to keep all incoming animals separate from the zoo collection until thoroughly examined and free of illnesses.Jenn assists the Zoo's Vets and Vet Techs with many procedures. Here she secures a dove while Vet Tech Ryanne tube feeds him.

What is a typical day like working in the clinic?
Every day is different, you never know what it will hold.

What is your education, training, and previous institution(s) you attended before coming to the Houston Zoo?
I have a one year certification from HCC as a veterinary paramedic.

What sort of advice would you give to anyone wanting to enter the zoo field?
Start volunteering and stick with it.  It is a great way to get the experience zoos require and you have a greater chance of getting hired on when you have been a volunteer.

What is your favorite animal story?
My great-grandparents had a ranch in Goliad, TX where I spent a lot of time as a child.  When I was about 10 I tried to get the goats and cows to like me and to approach me willingly.  Finally, 2 bulls approached me and I was able to hand-feed them.  All the time afterwards that they lived on my great-grandparent’s ranch, I could walk up to the fence and call them over and they would come running to me.  That was my first big animal experience.

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Jun
14

Meet the Keeper: Suzanne Jurek

Posted by in Behind the Scenes,Children's Zoo,Christmas,Events,Featured,Holidays,Keepers,Mammals,Profiles

Suzanne shows off a bat skeleton to Zoo guests.

Hometown:Born in Memphis, TN but now a naturalized Texan!
Section: Children’s Zoo – Primary: Desert/Prairie
Quote: “Science without religion is lame; Religion without science is blind.” –Albert Einstein  

Special Interests/Hobbies:
Reading, time with my family, anything related to bats, active in church.  

Interesting Facts:
Population manager for Jamaican Fruit Bats, Certified Interpretive Guide, and once named All City Supreme Princess – of course I was only 4 at the time!  

  

 

What is your education, training, and previous institution(s) you attended before coming to the Houston Zoo?
Some college – 10 years volunteering at the Houston Zoo and on the job.  

Suzanne introduces Trixie to Saint Nick during "Breakfast with Santa"

What animals do you train, and what is your favorite section in the Children’s Zoo?   

I train the foxes in our Desert/Prairie section of the Children’s Zoo, which is also my favorite section!  

What sort of advice would you give to anyone wanting to enter the zoo field?
Science, science, science.  

What is your favorite animal story?
Too many to pick from! We work with the most amazing creatures! I have seen such intelligence and such determination in them. They bring tears to my eyes on a regular basis – mostly in awe of them.

If you have any questions or comments for Suzanne, feel free to post it in the comment section!

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Jun
06

The Scoop on Poop

Posted by in Featured,Off Topic

Zookeepers spend a LOT of time looking at poop, it’s part of our job. I just found a great website on the topic from the Minnesota Zoo thanks to AZA . There’s a poop-themed game (I got a perfect score, by the way) and be sure you have the sound turned up!

Still can’t get enough about poop? Check out this video:

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