Humans are an amazing species, and specifically there is a type that is essential to the dedication of the conservation of animals in the world. Zoos worldwide & even our local potter park zoo exhibit: zookeepers. who else would take care of these precious animals?
The Potter Park Zoo, located in Lansing Michigan, houses and takes care of over 350+ animals. Founded in 1915, this local zoo has provided the surrounding schools, and companies field trips here year round to enjoy the many included amenities within the park.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT ZOOKEEPERS ARE NOT SHOWCASED ENOUGH WITH ALL THEIR HANDWORK AND DEDICATION THEY PUT TOWARD KEEPING MANY SPECIES THRIVING.
Meet jasmine.
Jasmine started her undergraduate studies in upstate New York, and has been working for Potter Park Zoo as a Zookeeper since 2018. Specifically, she takes care of this herd of elk as her daily job now.
Jasmine started her undergrad in upstate New York, and has been working for Potter Park Zoo since 2018. Specifically, she takes care of this herd of elk as her daily job.
Pictured below are various moments and the main tasks that Jasmine and Ciera are to complete everyday to take care of the elk. Of all the elk, there's one male with antlers, 2 without and 4 female elk without antlers. Cranking the gates open and closed to bring them in for feeding, Jasmine says is, "one of my favorite parts of this job. They all have their own little personalities and show it very well".
Jasmine cranking the gates open for the elk to come inside for their first feeding of the day. Coming from outside playing, the elk are hungry and eager to show their personalities. Ciera, another zookeeper (pictured in back), loves to talk to them.
Once inside the enclosure, Emmett, the only male with antlers is given a veggie cookie & kept separate from the rest of the herd during feeding time. The claiming of territory is too high when all elk eat together, says Jasmine.
Sitting right at the end of the elk barn, showcases the current diet and current state of the barn tasks. There are 7 elk in the herd, and 4 female in total. They all have been located at this zoo since 2018.
Sprinkling, and dropping about the same amount of food pellets into 5 bowls within the enclosure, for the other 6 elk, Jasmine says is a hard task, because, "they will defiently let me know if they didn't get enought to eat, they show their hangry facces at me, and I do it back."
Meet cindy.
Standing right behind the gates of the exhibit of the large cats is Cindy. Having attended Lansing Community College back in 2009, and being employed at 2 other previous zoos, she knows her way around. She is prepared to go rake leaves and pick up any excrements of the Lions from the day before.
Located behind the large cat exhibit, Cindy, a very camera shy zookeeper is behind these gates preparing breakfast, & the exhibit for the lions to come out for the day, before the zoo opens for visitors to enjoy.
Peering into view is the gates where Mufasa the male lion is kept & taken care of by Cindy shows that there is a lot going on in the background scenes that ongoers and visitors will usually never notice on the opposite side.
A number of zoo volunteers are seen assisting Cindy rake up and clean the large cat exhibit, to keep it looking nice and clean for the lions themselves and for the visitors to appreciate.
Volunteers, and Cindy, are still working hard to get the exhibit ready for the day, there are signs behind them, and many other signs showing the history of the zoo itself.
Who's your favorite animal of the zoo?
After diving into & getting familiar with 2 local zookeepers, it's easier to witness and understand the amount of hours and dedication this job entails. The goal of being a zookeeper, and for zoos worldwide is to spread awareness of nature and species conservation. Viewing the animals themselves, which are taken care of by the zookeepers.
If you would like more information on making a visit to Potter Park Zoo call: (517) 483-4222.
Above you can see most of the animals that are out in the morning for feeding. The rest of the animals are either inside getting a nice and warm morning bath, or are taking morning naps.
The zoo is open 364 days a year, with close to 250k yearly visitors. With so many amenitites to offer, and so many animals to see, no wonder it's loved by all of the locals, and even farther beyond!
1301 S Pennsylvania Ave Lansing, MI 48912