Keeper with Woolly Monkey

Photo courtesy of Milwaukee County Zoo. Reproduced by permission of the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Animal Keeper

A zookeeper, sometimes referred as animal keeper, is a person who manages zoo or aquarium animals that are kept in captivity for conservation or to be displayed to the public. They are usually responsible for the feeding and daily care of the animals.

Interview | Curator

Mark Rosenthal

Marks zoo career started at Lincoln Park Children’s Zoo in 1967, continuing as an animal keeper then zoologist. In 1975 he became Curator of Mammals. In 2003 he retired as Curator of Large Mammals. He is also the author of "Ark in the Park", the History of Lincoln Park Zoo.Watch the full Interview

4:01:47

Interview | General Curator

Mike Sulak

Mike Sulak began his career in zoos working in the Farm-In-The-Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. He soon fell in love with the profession and would go on to be a zoologist at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana, where he would serve as interim director for a time. In 1979, Sulak was recruited by director Saul Kitchener to be a curator at the San Francisco Zoo and would spend most of his career there.Watch the full Interview

5:11:01

In Memoriam

Nov 15, 1943 - Mar 11, 2021

Interview | Director

Stephen Wylie

Steve was passionate about his zoo career, conservation, international travels, birding, hunting and fishing. He was Director of the Oklahoma City Zoo from 1985 until his retirement in 2000. During his 15 year tenure at the Oklahoma City Zoo, Steve was a builder. He dramatically increased community support and created numerous major renovations, upgrades and new exhibits.Watch the full Interview

4:48:42

In Memoriam

Oct 16, 1922 - Oct 18, 2018

Interview | Director

Paul Breese

Paul's WWII experiences fostered his confidence and strengthened his passion to pursue a career of displaying, conserving, and protecting animals in captivity. In 1947 Paul was appointed the first Director of the Honolulu Zoo. He developed the facility's master plan, which defined its boundaries in Waikiki with fences and a single entrance. He also designed and constructed many of the animal enclosures.Watch the full Interview

6:02:31

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