Jul 24, 2024

RHZ celebrates zoo keepers during national recognition week

Posted Jul 24, 2024 4:41 PM
Image courtesy RHZ
Image courtesy RHZ

By Rolling Hills Zoo
This week is National Zoo Keeper Week, when we honor the dedicated members of our animal care team who work tirelessly to provide exceptional care to our animals, recognizing their hard work, passion, and commitment.

Amelia, an ornate box turtle at the Rolling Hills Zoo often joins Education Curator Teagan Miller for educational visits. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier
Amelia, an ornate box turtle at the Rolling Hills Zoo often joins Education Curator Teagan Miller for educational visits. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier

From severe thunderstorms to extreme heat waves, our zoo keepers are prepared to face every kind of weather condition, just to ensure the well-being of our animal family. Caring for our animals happens every single day of the year and is our team’s top priority.

At Rolling Hills Zoo, animal care team members are cross-trained to care for many different species. This means a keeper may be caring for large hoofstock like rhinos, giraffes, scimitar-horned oryx, and addax, while also caring for small primates like ring-tailed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs, cotton-top tamarins, and a sloth. The range of skills needed to care for our diverse species is impressive.

READ MORE: RHZ and Salina Downtown Inc. celebrate Zookeeper Appreciation week with "The Great Escape"

San Clemente Island Goats
San Clemente Island Goats

Zoo keepers play a vital role in the lives of the animals they care for, forming deep, lifelong bonds. Their daily tasks are as varied as the species they care for, ranging from cleaning and food preparation, to medical treatments, training, enrichment activities, and exhibit design. Each species requires specialized care and attention, and our zoo keepers’ expertise ensures that all our animals thrive.

Our keepers also engage in public outreach and education. Today, our world's wildlife and their habitats are increasingly threatened. The role of zoo keepers as educators and conservation ambassadors is more critical than ever. They're passionate conservationists, raising awareness about the threats our planet's animals face and the importance of protecting natural habitats – a key part of our mission to ignite a passion within our guests to save wildlife.

Kengele
Kengele

Being a zoo keeper is more than just a job – it’s a career, a passion, and a calling. Their unwavering dedication and love for the animals make Rolling Hills Zoo a truly special place.

Join us in celebrating National Zoo Keeper Week by acknowledging the incredible contributions of our animal care team. We invite you to visit us, learn more about the work they do, and support their efforts in wildlife conservation.

Thank you to our exceptional zoo keepers for all that you do. Your hard work and dedication make a world of difference, not just to the animals in your care, but to all of us who cherish and learn from them.

Rolling Hills Zoo's newest resident, Viktoria, a female Amur tiger, born in March 2022 at the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, North Dakota. Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo
Rolling Hills Zoo's newest resident, Viktoria, a female Amur tiger, born in March 2022 at the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, North Dakota. Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo

Let's give kudos and a cheer for Rolling Hills Zoo's Team of Keepers:

• Jonathan Andrew

• Jacqueline Bach

• Joshua Benton

• Megan Cashman

• Kathryn Frohardt

• Brenna Fuller

• Deona Herren

• Camey Johnson

• Kira Kaempfe

• Zach Marks

• Kennedy Mick

• Kyndal Mignery

• Cody Miller

• Zachary Vernon

• Lyssa Zeh

• Devney Olson-Bowen, Head Keeper

• Vickie Musselman, Registrar

• Brenda Gunder, Curator

Thank you for all you do and Happy National Zoo Keeper Week!