#nzkw2018

[zookeeperrick]

My path to becoming a Keeper. Part 5 of 5, the Zoo. 🐻🐯🦁🐵🐼 I sent in my first application for a full-time keeper position to the San Diego Zoo with my college education and over 7 years of experience behind me. I was pretty confident I’d get an interview at least. Instead I received a letter saying I was not selected to proceed through the application process. Another position opened a short while later, and I applied again. And I received a similar letter. I did this a total of 5 times. Application sent in, letter saying no received. On attempt number 6 I was asked to interview. A few days after the interview I was kindly told that I was the second choice and their first choice took the offer. Lucky number seven... Application sent in and landed another interview. This time I was offered a part-time keeper position. That meant leaving a full time position with benefits at Guide Dogs for the Blind. (See my last post about that part of my path.) I took the offer. I have been at the San Diego Zoo for almost 18 years now. I have had the honor of working with some of the most amazing animals (and people). And now, my career has become something more than I ever could have imagined. I am not officially a Keeper anymore. But I have the heart and passion of a Keeper. And I will always celebrate and champion the work my fellow Keepers do! (Photos are of a fossa, Isa. And old Bandar, binturong and an old Priscilla, porcupine) . . . . . #NationalZooKeeperWeek #NZKW2018 #TeamKeeper #SanDiegoZoo #binturong #fossa #porcupine #awesomeanimals (at San Diego, California)

[jeffreynyc]

My brother has had an almost 20 year career as an animal keeper at the @BronxZoo, @ZooMiami and now as a Lead Animal Keeper at @PalmBeachZoo. (As you can see from the picture, he started his career early!) I’m proud to celebrate #NZKW2018 (National Zookeeper Week) in appreciation of the work of zookeepers around the globe who educate and promote conservation of animals!

[zookeeperrick]

My path to becoming a Keeper . Part 3 of 5, the birds. 🐣 After college I had many jobs. One of those jobs that I stuck with the longest was working with over 120 birds at one facility. From parrots to cranes and flamingos to swans... We even had a few primates, marmosets and tamarins. People will often say a certain species will always act a certain way. This job taught me just how much each individual animal is indeed an individual. And if you are going to be a successful at anything, you need to take the time to understand the individual within the group. (Unfortunately I don't have photos of my time at that job. So my buddy Rio is standing in as a representative, an ambassador if you will, for the bird friends of my past.) . . . . . #NationalZooKeeperWeek #NZKW2018 #TeamKeeper #ImAKeeper #Parrot #InstaParrot #AmazonParrot #PersonalHistory #birds_of_instagram #WildlifeEducation #Zookeeper

[zookeeperrick]

My path to becoming a Keeper. Part 1 of 5, the Tiger. 🐯 Like many in my line of work, it started with an early childhood obsession. Though for the most part I think I was curious about all animals as a kid - the obsession started with cheetahs and tigers. In fact, having set my sights on Moorpark College’s EATM program before I was even in high school, I was sure I was going to work with tigers forever. . . . . . #NationalZookeepedWeek #NZKW2018 #zookeeper #IamAKeeper #tiger #SumatranTiger #SanDiegoZoo #ATZ #EATM #SDZSafariPark #TeamKeeper #BigCatsOfInstagram (at San Diego, California)

[zookeeperrick]

Happy National Zoo Keeper Week! In 2007 the 3rd week of July was officially recognized as the week to celebrate Zoo Keepers! Please take a moment to thank a keeper, animal care specialist, aquarist, etc. They dedicate their lives to the safe keeping and care of the worlds most amazing species. (This is probably one of the earliest photos of me right before my professional career started. I think this was November of 1992. I was still a student at Moorpark College, doing a week long internship at the Safari Park’s “Rare & Wild America” show. The animal I am holding was the sweetest ring-tailed cat I have ever met.) . . . . . # NationalZookeeperWeek #NZKW2018 #ImAKeeper #TeamKeeper #wildlifeeducation #lovemyjob❤️ #ringtailedcat #amazinganimals (at San Diego Zoo Safari Park)

[zookeeperrick]

Happy National Zoo Keeper Week!!! What exactly is a Zookeeper? And by the way, do you know if it’s Zookeeper or Zoo Keeper? You can find out on my latest blog post - link in my bio! . . . . . #NationalZooKeeperWeek #NZKW2018 #TeamKeeper #ImAKeeper #aazk #lovemyjob #ThankAKeeper