Animal Escapades | The Critter Keeper

Welcome to Me!

19 Apr 2025 21:54

This handsome stud right here is Diego! He was a Red-Tailed Hawk I had the pleasure of working with during my years at school. If you are new here, my first introduction to working with animals was working with Exotic Animals at an Animal Training Program at Moorpark College in California. Diego was one of the few birds I had the chance to work with. Diego weighed about 3.5 pounds and when "manning" him around the zoo that was the quickest way to kick off arm day, in between feeding your primate, giving zoo tours to the public and training sessions with fellow trainers.

A day in the Life of a Zookeeper

26 Apr 2025 11:33

Alright, buckle up buttercup, because the behind-the-scenes at the Great Ape Department was less "walk in the park" and more "manic monkey mayhem meets massive gorilla grunts"! Forget your sleepy desk jobs, my mornings started with a half-mile trek that felt like a pre-historic commute, all leading to the majestic (and sometimes malodorous) Great Ape Kingdom.

Sea Lion Life, Keeper Style

30 Apr 2025 11:55

Okay, let's dive right into the wet and wild world of my former afternoon zookeeper life! Following my morning escapades with the primates (ICYMI, you can catch that hairy tale in my previous post!), the scene shifted to the ever-entertaining sea lion exhibit. Get ready for splashing good times, fishy breath, and a whole lot of personality! Our afternoon routine centered around engaging the public with lively training sessions and, of course, the always-popular feeding frenzy.

My Wild Calling: Training Exotic Animals at a Premier School

11 May 2025 14:27

Have you ever gazed at a majestic lion or been captivated by the playful antics of primates and wondered what it takes to care for these incredible creatures? Perhaps the thought of working alongside them has even danced in your dreams. Well, for those with a wild heart and a passion for the animal kingdom, there's a unique path to becoming a zookeeper and exotic animal trainer – and for me, that path led straight to the prestigious Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) program at Moorpark College.