By Zookeeper Stories
A podcast
Just a quick heads up about the audio quality in this episode. Brad and I had some internet connection issues (mostly me) that caused the audio to jump and skip in a few spots. I’ve cleaned it up as best...
I speak with Jordan Veasley, a zookeeper at the Woodland Park Zoo. I came across Jordan when one of his youtube videos was retweeted onto my twitter timeline. This episode starts with a discussion about this video. We chat about...
I speak with Josh Courteau, Training manager and LearnZims Teaching Partnership Coordinator at Species 360. We talk about the importance of ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) to the zoo industry and how they have been helping zoos behind the scenes...
I speak with Jim Sanford of the Minnesota Zoo. We discuss his journey from college student, to intern, to multiple zookeeper positions before settling back home in Minnesota. This is the story of a zookeeper who knew exactly what he wanted...
We tell the story of Rebecca Jahns, bird keeper at an AZA-accredited zoo in Wisconsin. She talks about her relationship with a professor in college, multiple internships, and the difficult decision to leave a hard-earned position to get married.
In the return of ZKS, I have animal expert and handler Corbin Maxey on the show. He has been on shows like Jay Leno, Martha Stewart, The Today Show, and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Please check out Corbin on...
Episode 15 – Blaine Peluso-Miller
Episode 14 – Becky Wolf
Episode 13 – Monika Zabinskas Part 2
Episode 12 – Monika Zabinskas Part 1
Episode 11 – Matt Mills
Episode 10 – Russell Phar
Episode 9 – Anthony Brown
Episode 8 – Lindsey King
Episode 7 – Kristy Williams
Episode 6 Ashley Roberts
Episode 5 – Ann Knutson
Episode 4 – Chad and Jill Harmon
Episode 3 – Rochelle Willison
Episode 1 – Connie Carson
I speak with Blaine Peluso-Miller, keeper at the Abilene Zoo. He gives a different perspective than we have ever had on the show before. Blaine is a second year zookeeper that has recently gone through the trials and tribulations of...
I speak with zookeeper Becky Wolf about her journey that began in Philadelphia as an intern. She shares stories about unexpectedly becoming a bird keeper at the Dallas Zoo before moving over to carnivores and eventually to her current home...
Part two of a conversation with Monika Zabinskas, threatened species keeper at Healesville Sanctuary. Monika recaps Devil Facial Tumor Disease and speaks about a harrowing encounter with buffalo. We wrap up with discussing differences between American and Australian zoos.
I speak with Monika Zabinskas, Tasmanian Devil Keeper at the Healesville Sanctuary in Australia. She tells stories about her upbringing at a wildlife rehabilitation center in the bush. She shares stories about her conservation work in Africa as well. Stick...
Matt shares his story of not having a backup plan. It was zookeeper or bust for him as he worked his way from a small big cat rescue facility, to the Woodland Park Zoo, and eventually landing at the Akron...
Russell and I chat about how he leveraged a volunteer job into a paid internship, a giraffe attendant position, and eventually a full-time zookeeper job at the Dallas Zoo where he is now an important member of the elephant team.
Anthony gives us his unique perspective on the zoo world which is one of a former keeper that has now moved on to other professional goals. He shares his story of working his way up through the San Francisco Zoo...
Lindsey tells her story of her early love of horses and how that helped foster her career aspirations. She shares her journey through multiple internships, the Elmwood Park Zoo, and eventually the San Diego Zoo. Lindsey has a true...
In episode seven I had the opportunity to speak with Kristy Williams, an Australian zookeeper who works for Zoos Victoria. Kristy did a keeper exchange and worked at the San Diego Zoo for six months, which is where I met...
Ashley tells her story of growing up in eastern Washington and the path she took to get to where she is today. She shares also shares a story about a time when a male jaguar and a male lion became...
I had so much fun talking to Ann about her journey to becoming a zookeeper at the Avian Propagation Center of the San Diego Zoo. She tells us about a Capuchin monkey sniper named Rusty and the time a penguin...
I'm so excited to share the story of Chad, Jill, and the Horns and Heroes Project this week. I really feel like it's our best episode yet in no small part due to the amazing work that the Harmons are...
In this episode we talk with Rochelle Willison and learn about her journey to an 18 year career as a zookeeper. You guys love embarrassing stories and Rochelle has an amazing one involving a red river hog piglet!
In this episode, we speak with Mori Pacheco who has been a zookeeper at Disney's Animal Kingdom for 14 years. She is currently working with okapi and other African hoofstock at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Orlando, Florida.
In ourfirst episode we speak with Conny Carson. Conny is a retired zookeeper that worked at the San Diego Zoo for 42 years.
a quick introduction to the podcast
