During their visit, guests of the Columbus Zoo can watch free Keeper Talks as part of their admission. During these talks, guests get the inside scoop on the animals straight from the people who know them best–our Animal Care team.
But what do you know about our devoted keepers? Get to know keeper, Chris.
Q:How long have you worked with animals?
A: My first internship was in July 2010, and my first paying job was in May 2012.
Q:How long have you worked at the Columbus Zoo?
A: I have been at the Columbus Zoo since December 2016. However, I’ve come to the Zoo for as long as I can remember.
Q:What is your educational background?
A: I have a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University.
Q: What region of the Zoo do you work in?
A: I work with the elephants and the rhino in Asia Quest.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: I enjoy building a relationship with an animal and gaining its trust.
Q: Do you have any special bonds with a particular animal or species?
A: I try to have the same bond with all the animals I care for. However, Rudy the Asian elephant and I seem to click very well.
Q: When did you realize that you wanted to work with animals and become a zookeeper?
A: It was in college. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I realized early on that I wanted to work with animals. Initially, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but after a year or so in school, I decided that I wanted to work with animals overall rather than specialize in the Animal Health side. After a trip to the Columbus Zoo, it occurred to me that I could work with elephants (my favorite animal!) if I worked hard to pursue that, so that’s where I put my focus. I’ve also been incredibly lucky, which helps.
Q: What is your favorite Zoo memory?
A: In 2018, I was fortunate to work with a newborn elephant calf. It makes all the long days and nights worth it.
Q: What is your favorite animal and why?
A: Elephants are my favorite, but since working here, I have also worked other species, which has been refreshing and enlightening.
Q: What is your favorite habitat at the Zoo and why?
A: I like anything with underwater viewing. How cook would it be to have underwater viewing in the elephant pool?!
Q: If you could switch jobs with another keeper, what animal(s) would you want to work with?
A: Gorillas or orangutans—they are intriguing (and maybe a little intimidating), and, it would be amazing to work with them.
Q: Can you give us a fun fact about yourself?
A: I lived on a train for almost 5 years and traveled all over the country.
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