Category — Keeper’s Komments

Jenna and Mai Thai

Jenna came to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in 2009 following her graduation from Indiana University, where she majored in biology and minored in animal behavior.  Jenna began her Zoo career as an intern at the Commissary, which is where all of the animal food comes in and is then distributed to the different areas within the Zoo.  She also took part in various animal encounters throughout the park. After completing her first internship, Jenna went on to intern in the Zoo’s Education Department  and began guiding Nocturnal Adventures overnight programs.

Jenna feeding Kimba in Giraffe Ridge

Jenna works with the Maasai giraffes, greater flamingos, East African crowned cranes and Asian elephants. Her typical activities include cleaning out yards, stalls and pools, and working on enrichment training with the giraffes and cranes. Visitors can often find Jenna presenting the Giraffe Encounters or assisting trainers during the Elephant Encounters.

“I love giving the elephants enrichment and helping with Mai Thai’s elephant paintings,” says Jenna. Having the opportunity to connect with the public and teaching them about the animals she cares for is another favorite part of her job.

While Jenna has a busy schedule at the Zoo, she still makes time for her two dogs, chameleon and leopard gecko at home. Jenna is engaged to fellow Zoo employee Scott Wingate, who works in the Education Department.

Markee in the bird show

Markee began her career at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden as a seasonal employee during the summer of 2007. In 2012, she became a full-time zookeeper for the Zoo’s Great American Wings of Wonder Bird Show.

Before each bird show, Markee must clean the birds’ cages, prepare food and feed her feathery friends, and go through the proper training and enrichment to prepare the birds for the show. During the show, Markee can be seen handling parrots, hornbills, raptors and penguins.

Markee and Gary in the Wings of the World bird show

Markee says that her favorite part about being a zookeeper is, “seeing how intelligent the birds are. They all have different personalities.” She also enjoys educating the public about the various types of birds in the show. One of Markee’s fondest zookeeper memories is of the time she got to let the bald eagle, Sam, fly in Great American Ball Park during the national anthem.

When Markee is not working with the birds, she enjoys playing in coed volleyball and softball leagues and taking care of her two pet cats.

Paul with mother & baby camels

Zoo Academy graduate Paul Reinhart began his career at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 30 years ago.  At the Zoo, Paul oversees the care of a variety of hoof stock, including three species of rhinos, okapi, zebra, bongo, takin and camel. He also cares for the red pandas and works with cheetahs, tufted deer, and cranes that are housed at the Zoo’s off-site breeding facility. Paul’s typical day includes feeding animals, cleaning exhibits, fixing things, cleaning pools and “doing whatever needs to be done!”

Paul in Sumatra with mother rhino Ratu

Paul just returned from spending four weeks at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia, where he attended the historically-significant birth of a male Sumatran rhino. The event was personally significant for Paul, who was also present at the birth of the calf’s father, Andalas, at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2001.  Andalas was the first rhino bred and born in captivity in over a century, and Paul was on his team of caregivers. He, and the rest of the C.R.E.W. team, are beyond thrilled that Andalas is playing such a pivotal role in the survival of his species.

Ratu and Andatu

In his free time, Paul enjoys biking and canoeing. One of his favorite activities is cutting grass. Something about turning on his iPod and using a push mower brings joy to this hoof stock zookeeper.