Phoenix Zoo: Shelly Donohue

Phoenix AZ

30 March, 2021

2:09 PM

Description

Press release from Phoenix Zoo: 2021-03-29 How long have you been a primate keeper at the Phoenix Zoo?I have been a primate keeper at the Phoenix Zoo for 3 years as of April 2nd, 2018 and a zookeeper for a total of 8 years. Growing up, when did you know you wanted to become a keeper?I knew from a very early age that I was passionate about primates and wanted to be an advocate for the species and contribute to the conservation of our natural world. Jane Goodall was always my role model but it wasn't until I did an internship during the summer of my undergrad where I experienced the hands on work of caring for primates and building a personal relationship with them that I knew this was the career field I wanted to pursue.What has been your most memorable moment working at the Phoenix Zoo? My most memorable moment working at the Phoenix Zoo was discovering our twin Cotton-top tamarins Hazel and Wally the morning they were born. My most memorable moment representing the Phoenix Zoo was receiving the Animal Welfare Grant and getting to volunteer my time and knowledge at the Laos Conservation Trust for Wildlife. EMILY SCHAER How long have you worked at the Phoenix Zoo?I've been a diet tech for three years in April. Growing up, when did you know you wanted to work with animals?Growing up I knew I always wanted to work with animals in some way, and didn't even know that there was a position dedicated to making all their food (amongst all the other oodles of stuff we do!) I was looking for a full-time job at the Zoo and saw this and went for it, and then after a bit realized that not only did I enjoy the work, but I was very good at it! What has been your most memorable moment working at the Phoenix Zoo?As for memorable moments working at the Zoo… Even just in the three years I've been in the kitchen there's too many to count.I've got such fun coworkers and so many challenges we've had to overcome, but the usual things I think about most fondly are all the food enrichment stuff I've made for events, birthdays, and just for fun. Most recently I made some birthday cakes for Bess and Michael's birthdays. I've definitely improved with time and hope to make many more. This press release was produced by Phoenix Zoo. The views expressed here are the author's own.