ZOO to YOU
Catch up with the latest news at LRZ with articles, press releases, and other fun updates
written and created by Zoo Staff.
Questions for Keepers
- Emily Sexson, Communication Specialist
A group photo of current Animal Care Staff.
In last week’s Zoo to You column, Zoo Director Kristi Newland shared some insight into what it takes to become a Zoo Keeper, a truly unique career full of passionate and dedicated individuals. Last week was also National Zoo Keeper Week, during which Animal Care Curator Carrie Thurman asked staff members to voluntarily answer questions related to their careers in the zoo field. Here are just a few examples of those questions and answers to get some personal insight from members of the Lee Richardson Zoo Staff.
When did you know that you wanted to work in the Zoo/Animal Care field? Was there a person, place, or thing that inspired you to do so? “Both were in second grade. I had to do a project on an animal. It was randomly selected, and I got a cougar (my favorite animal because of this). Since that project, I had an incredible love for animals, and the next year, in third grade, I had another project. This project was what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote that I wanted to be a zoo keeper, and from that point on, I worked towards that goal,” answered Keeper Conner Risley.
“As a former zoo camper, a reptile nerd, and a farm kid, I always loved animals. I was two semesters away from a high school biology teaching degree when I got a summer job as a camp counselor at my hometown Zoo (Peoria Zoo). I fell in love with the behind-the-scenes at the Zoo, and seeing everything that went into their Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) inspection that summer made me appreciate just how much work goes into making a good experience for both guests and animals. So, I changed my major to conservation biology and dove headfirst into zoos! Many people at Peoria had been there or at other zoos for twenty-plus years, so I had some incredible mentors,” was Keeper Erin Hanley’s response.
If you were an animal, which would you be and why? “I’d be a capybara,” said Keeper Logan Schmidt, “they seem like very go-with-the-flow animals.” Keeper Abigail Wiiest stated, “I’d be a duck, they’re my special interest, they just sleep, and hang out, and eat their snacks all day.” “Being a dhole seems like it’d be really fun. They’ve got a strong pack unit, are strategic hunters, so hunting seems like it’d be fun with them, and, of course, they whistle! Plus, I mean, they’re just super cute,” answered Keeper Megan Mann. “A sea otter. I love the ocean, I love to swim, I love the west coast, and I love to eat shellfish,” said Deputy Director Joe Knobbe.
What animal that has crossed the “rainbow bridge” has had an impact on you and why? “I would say the animal that had a significant impact on me was ‘Clive’, the burrowing owl. He was just one of the most social, silly, and sweet birds I’ve had the pleasure of working with. He loved ‘Fergie’ (burrowing owl) so very, very, much and would always bring her mouse to her before grabbing his. Truly just a delight to work with,” responded Keeper Abby Basile. Lead Keeper Cameron Albus answered, “Jose, the golden-headed lion tamarin. Such a silly guy with such a curious personality. He loved TV, especially the ‘Minions’, and his blankets. He really instilled a love of small primates into me.” “Kaya the jaguar. Most of my experience has been with hoof stock, who are typically very accepting and sweet. She (Kaya) was the first animal to challenge me, and it was so rewarding when she would show those small moments of sweetness once we got to know each other,” said Lead Keeper Victoria Ortiz.
Because so much of their hard work is performed behind the scenes, you may miss the chance to interact with a member of Zoo staff during your visit. However, day in and day out, rain or shine, through holidays, and more, our dedicated staff provide world-class care 365 days a year. A great way to get to know our staff and learn about what it takes to be a zoo keeper is to catch a “Keeper Chat” during your Zoo visit, where you can ask Zoo staff all about their experience and get special insight into some of your favorite animals. Currently, Keeper Chats are running daily with a variety of times and topics. Check out our website www.leerichardsonzoo.org for the detailed schedule; look under the “events” tab for more info.
What's it Take to be a Zoo Keeper?
- Kristi Newland, Zoo Director
Dr. Tori Trumble (left) examines one of the trumpeter swan cygnets while Keeper Megan Mann (right) assists.
Here’s a recipe for a zoo keeper: take 3 tablespoons of Dr. Dolittle’s animal sense, a cup of Sherlock Holmes’s deductive reasoning, observational skills and attention to details, two big splashes of Oprah Winfrey’s communication skills, 4 teaspoons of Florence Nightingale’s caring, a pint of John Henry’s work ethic, a dash of Julia Childs’s creative cooking, a smidgen of Curious George’s curiosity and desire for fun, 2 cups of Jane Goodall’s dedication to animal welfare, conservation and respect for wildlife (okay to substitute Jacque Cousteau, Dian Fossey, etc..) and three pinches of MacGyver’s vision for making something out of nothing. Mix well, sprinkle with animal experience in a volunteer, seasonal, or intern position. Top with a college degree in an animal-related area of study, and voila, you may have a zoo keeper. Each ingredient plays an important role.
Animal sense means being able to move around animals without making them uncomfortable. It’s also knowing what’s normal for that individual. The wrong movement by a keeper can send a gazelle or zebra running into a fence. A keeper needs to detect the subtle changes that may signal an illness or impending change (a female orangutan who is usually eager to go outside wants to stay in – social problem, doesn’t feel well, giving birth soon?). If animals in the wild were obvious about being sick, predators would be on their trail quickly. It takes some skill and patience to pick up on the little nuances. Some of it develops only with experience.
Deductive reasoning, observational skills and attention to detail are useful for evaluating social situations (a kangaroo who is usually with the mob is staying on the other side of the yard), postulating how events may have happened (a board is disconnected from a climbing structure and the male lion has a sore mouth), and maintaining good records about the residents’ history that can be referred to for insight (the Bactrian camel male goes off feed this time each year).
Communication skills are more essential now than ever before in the profession. The job may be about animals, but it involves people, too. A keeper needs to be able to communicate clearly with colleagues at all levels. They need to be comfortable sharing conservation messages and more with visiting guests.
Working with animals from infancy to old age gives keepers a chance to witness every facet of their lives. Each day of a zoo resident’s life is intricately interwoven with their keeper’s. If the keeper is running late, then the giraffes may be eating a little later than usual. Likewise, if the siamangs are uncooperative in shifting, then the keeper’s timeline must adjust. A keeper’s daily observations and care are the basis of any husbandry program. But it’s not all one-sided. The residents can also bring a smile to the face of a keeper during a day that is otherwise not going well. Each gives to the other in their own way.
A keeper’s job is not an easy calling. Keepers don’t “spend the day playing with the animals”. There’s a lot of hard work involved day in and day out. Removing animal waste from the habitat, making sure everything is secure and safe for the residents, basic fence repairs, landscaping duties, cleaning pools, diet preparation, washing dishes (sometimes really big dishes), etc… Without a very good work ethic a keeper could get frustrated and give up on the profession in favor of something less physically and mentally demanding.
Imagine needing to get one baboon out of six to take a bad-tasting pill every day. It can be a lot of trial and error, often requiring a good amount of creativity to find the right mix of ingredients and presentation to succeed.
A sense of curiosity and fun helps when creating enrichment to encourage natural behaviors and physical and mental wellbeing. What sort of toys would an otter like to play with that won’t pose a threat to their health or the plumbing or glass wall in their habitat?
Respect for wildlife and dedication to animal welfare and conservation are paramount. If it isn’t part of a keeper’s makeup, they’ll soon find they’re in the wrong line of work. All the effort it takes to do a good job is only worth it if it really matters to you.
Experience and education complement each other. If you have enough of one, a keeper candidate may get hired without the other, but a combination of both is more likely to land that first full-time job.
To see the results of the combined efforts of some talented keepers, maintenance staff, veterinary staff, administrators, and educators, visit Lee Richardson Zoo.
June's Staff Pic of the Month
June's Staff Pic of the Month Winner was Keeper Kaci with their submission of this photo of the trumpeter swan cygnets with their mom Abigail.
The Pic of the Month winners are selected by the Zoo's Advisory Board during their monthly meetings.
Congratulations Kaci!
Sleep at the Zoo
- Alice Nelson, Conservation Awareness Manager
Summer Fun
Zoo Docent Sidney shares giraffe "biofacts" with Zoo Guests at a Discovery Cart on the Giraffe Encounter Deck.
Now that school is out for summer, many activities start to pop up across Garden City. With activities everywhere, we appreciate that guests look to the Zoo for some of their summer fun activities. Activities such as Summer Edventure Camps, Animal Encounters, Keeper Chats, Special Events, and other favorites are all available for summer here at the Lee Richardson Zoo.
Summer Edventure Camps are already underway, with the 1st and 2nd grade Edventure Camp Wildlife Safari completed during the first week of June, and the 3rd and 4th grade Edventure Camp Biome Bonanza finishing up the second week of June. June 15th through the 19th will see us in the 5th and 6th grade Edventure Camp “Art in Nature”, which still has a few spots open for registration. These half-day Edventure Camps feature different topics each week, with a new aspect of that topic being discussed every day. Each day, the activities, games, crafts, walks, and even ambassador animals revolve around these daily sub-topics. We also offer Edventure Camps in July with openings still available in all camps! July 6th – 10th is 1st and 2nd grade’s Sensational Senses camp. July 13th – 17th is the 3rd and 4th grade Humerus Anatomy camp. And rounding out the summer, July 20th - 24th is the 5th and 6th grade Junior Zookeeper Camp! If you have any questions about or would like to register your camper, please visit our website at www.leerichardsonzoo.org and look under events for the subheading Zoo Camps. You may also call our main office at 620-276-1250 with questions.
Giraffe Encounters are back for the summer! On Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, keepers and educators will be available to guide guests on an amazing opportunity to meet, feed, and learn about giraffes. If the weather and animals permit these encounters, they are $2 for 1 encounter or $5 for 3 encounters. Cash is accepted on the giraffe deck, and cards are accepted at the gatehouse.
Summer Keeper involvement would not be complete without our summer daily Keeper Chats! These short chats allow you to learn more about your favorite animals from the professionals who know them best! There are three chats each day, starting at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm. The showcased animals vary depending on the time and day of the week. The schedule is located on our website at www.leerichardsonzoo.org/keeperchats. Special events, including events like Mother’s and Father’s Day and also events like World Giraffe Day, will be put up on the website before the event days, so feel free to check back often on the special events subcategory of the website.
Other favorites, like Story Time and Wild Wednesday, continue throughout the summer as well. Story Time, held every Monday at 10:30 am in the Finnup Center for Conservation Education (the Zoo office building), allows young children and their caregivers to listen to a story, make a craft, and even sometimes meet an ambassador animal! Wild Wednesdays, which occur on the first Wednesday of every month during the summer, allow guests to drive vehicles through the Zoo with free drive-thru admission!
Other summer fun can be found at the Friends of the Lee Richardson Zoo-run Safari Shoppe. At the Safari Shoppe, guests may rent Scooter Pals, Safari Cycles, Wagons, and more! The gift shop and all related services are open daily, 10 am to 7 pm during the summer. While exploring the Zoo, also look for the Richardson Railroad Train and the Conservation Carousel! These two attractions, as well as the Wild Dog Stop and the Sluice, run 12 pm – 5 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until school starts. For more information on these activities or on how to become a member, please visit www.folrz.com or call 620-276-6243.
We hope you continue to have a safe and enjoyable summer and that you make the Lee Richardson Zoo part of your summer plans!
Three Swan Cygnets Hatch
Trumpeter swan mom "Abigail" looks down on her three cygnets from the left as father "Will" is on the right while the family floats out on the pond.
Earlier this week, the trumpeter swan couple “Abigail” and “Will” at the Lee Richardson Zoo hatched three cygnets. This makes a total of seven successful cygnet hatchings since the pair was matched together in 2022.
Trumpeter swans were once an endangered species due to overhunting for skins and feathers but have since recovered thanks to conservation efforts. Three out of four of the pair’s previous hatchlings have since been reintroduced to the wild in Oregon as part of a reintroduction project between the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and participating zoos, Zoo Idaho, AZA’s Trumpeter Swan Species Survival Plan (SSP), the Trumpeter Swan Society, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. As part of the SSP, the fourth hatchling has found a new home at the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina, Kansas. The program’s goal is to continue to restore trumpeter swan populations in their native habitat.
Once they reach the appropriate age, this year’s hatchlings will follow similar paths as their older siblings and parents, each playing a significant role for their species, furthering the SSP goals. Until then, you can visit the swan family on the “Duck Pond” located near the flamingo habitat and along the Zoo’s drive-through route.
Employee Recognition
Congratulations to Zoo Registrar Cassidy Payne for being awarded as the Employee of the 1st Quarter for 2026!
Cassidy was nominated by her coworkers and is known for her willingness to jump in and get hands on!
Thank you Cassidy for everything you do!
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
Celebrating Gibbons & Earth Day
Something exciting is always happening at the Lee Richardson Zoo! Recently, “Jian” and “Tangra”, two critically endangered gibbons, have gotten closer, thanks to a successful introduction designed by their caregivers. The pair arrived separately from other facilities as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan for Northern white-cheeked gibbons and have since been settling into their new home in Wild Asia. The pair had been sharing an indoor space while being separated by a barrier that allowed them to see, hear, and smell each other. After observing Tangra and Jian’s behaviors during this “howdying” process, their caregivers felt confident that the pair could share their outdoor space, and the two were given full access to one another.
Tangra, the elder female, showed great interest in her younger and shyer male roommate. She was quick to follow him everywhere as he swung about their habitat. Their Keepers report that the pair are literally getting closer with each day, Jian is warming up to Tangra’s attention, and they have been heard singing their loud, territorial calls in duet.
Zoo guests are invited to visit the gibbons as well as celebrate Earth Day with us this Friday, April 24th, from 9 am to 2 pm! Community exhibitors will be on grounds to help spread a variety of conservation messages, and you don’t want to miss Richard Renner’s Recycle Cycle or our wingspan comparison activity! Activities are geared toward 3rd-grade students, but all ages are welcome to join!
"Jian" left and "Tangra" right in their outdoor habitat.
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
Zoo Prepares Rhino for Transfer
"Ayubu" the black rhino in his habitat at the Lee Richardson Zoo.
“Ayubu”, the young male rhino in our care at the Lee Richardson Zoo, is getting ready for his next big milestone! Ayubu was born on January 20th, 2021, a successful result of the breeding plan set in place by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Eastern Black Rhinoceros. It is now time for Ayubu to move into his new role within the SSP and say goodbye to Mom, just as he would in the wild.
Through the SSP, Ayubu will be moving to the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin, another facility accredited by the AZA, supporting the healthy management of black rhinoceros in human care. Ayubu’s departure is set for early April.
The large custom crate that Ayubu will be traveling in has already arrived and has been placed inside the rhino’s habitat. Thanks to positive reinforcement training with the Zoo’s Animal Care Staff, Ayubu has become quite comfortable with the crate and is voluntarily entering it on his own. He can often be found eating and even napping inside of it.
While female black rhinos may sometimes have overlapping ranges, male rhinos are generally solitary. 15-year-old Mom, Johari, will remain with us at the Lee Richardson Zoo, as the SSP determines if she will be matched with another male. Johari has been an excellent mother and mate. However, as solitary animals, black rhinos are quite successful thriving on their own.
Zoo hours will be extended on April 1st, and we will be open daily from 8 am to 7 pm, with the drive-through entrance closing at 6 pm. More information about the Zoo can be found at www.leerichardsonzoo.org.
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
Small but Mighty Primate
- Joe Knobbe, Deputy Director
Two adult goeldi's monkeys sit in a basket of enrichment in the aviary at the Zoo.
Tucked away in the Tropical habitat in the Marie Osterbuhr Aviary is a tiny species of monkey.
In fact, it’s the only species of monkey at Lee Richardson Zoo. Goeldi’s monkeys, also known as callimicos, are New World monkeys found primarily in the Amazon of Peru, as well as in some regions of Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil.
Unfortunately, these countries represent four of the world’s top seven nations in terms of forest loss due to human expansion, timber harvesting, and agriculture. Less than half the forests where they are found are protected.
Since the species is so patchily distributed across its range because of its need for particular habitats and food sources, Goeldi’s monkey populations are especially sensitive to these human activities. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as Vulnerable.
Due to their elusive nature, there are no good estimates of the world’s overall population, but loss of historical habitat and less frequent sightings indicate that their numbers are declining.
The other primates found at the zoo are classified as prosimians or as lesser apes. Prosimians retain ancestral traits, such as being nocturnal or having the capability to scent-mark. Lesser apes are characterized by their lack of tails and higher intelligence.
The zoo’s prosimians include the ring-tailed, black and white, and red ruffed lemurs, and the pygmy slow lorises. The lemurs are found at the zoo’s Primate Forest Lemurs!, and the slow lorises in the zoo’s nocturnal building in Wild Asia. The representative lesser apes are the white-cheeked gibbons, who also reside in Wild Asia.
Goeldi’s monkeys are unique primates in many ways. Like their close cousins, the tamarins and marmosets, Goeldi’s are very diminutive. They weigh just about a pound and are less than 10 inches in length, with a tail just as long. They move about the tropical forest much like squirrels because of their claw-like nails. This is different from larger-bodied primates.
These claws allow them to escape predators quickly and help them extract certain foods. They prefer fruits, flowers, insects and spiders, mollusks, and small vertebrates such as lizards, snakes, and frogs. Goeldi’s monkeys have a unique adaptation: they can feed on fungi to sustain themselves during dry seasons. This dietary trait is found in no other tropical primate.
Like other small New World monkeys, baby Goeldi’s are initially carried by their mother’s, but are gradually handed off to fathers and other members of a troop as the infants grow. This is especially important in marmosets and tamarins, which typically have twins or even triplets that collectively weigh 15 – 25% of the mother’s weight. Those mothers must share rearing responsibilities so they can provide for their own nutritional and energy needs while lactating.
Goeldi’s monkeys, however, give birth to a single infant who weighs just about 10% of the mother’s weight. This allows mothers to carry their single infants a little longer before sharing the role and to delay weaning.
With this strategy of concentrated effort, Goeldi’s monkeys grow faster and become independent much earlier than others. By four weeks, Goeldi’s infants can be seen begging or robbing food from others who readily provide it to them. By three months of age, they are rarely carried at all.
On your next visit to the zoo, don’t mistake our pair of Goeldi’s monkeys, “Peach” and “JB,” as baby monkeys. They’re fully grown and among the world’s most unique primates.
To learn more about what’s happening at the Zoo, visit www.leerichardsonzoo.org or the Zoo’s social media pages. The zoo is currently open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with drive-through access from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.