Happy National Zookeeper Week 2026

Happy National Zookeeper Week! Join us in celebrating the dedicated professionals who care for animal ambassadors at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Keepers are caretakers—and so much more. They research, study and share what they learn to build our collective knowledge. They tell our animals’ stories and inspire curiosity about the natural world. Most importantly, they help visitors forge emotional connections with our animals, bridging the gap between seeing an animal and wanting to save it. Get to know our amazing animal care team in the stories below!   

Amazonia 

"Over the past year, keeper Hilary Colton has played a critical role in advancing animal husbandry and supporting complex veterinary procedures across the Amazonia collection. From preparing for and assisting with multiple fish exams and surgeries to developing exam supply inventories and emergency response protocols, Hilary’s attention to detail and dedication help ensure both animal welfare and veterinary readiness. 

“Beyond her animal care responsibilities, Hilary also contributes to exhibit improvements, supports public education programs and tours, and shares her knowledge and expertise through professional presentations and publications focused on animal welfare. Her commitment to excellence, collaboration and continuous learning makes her an invaluable member of the Amazonia team." – Rebecca Sturniolo, Curator of Amazonia and American Trail 

American Trail 

"Throughout the year, the American Trail team goes above and beyond to connect guests with the animals in their care through engaging educational programs and themed celebration days. From International Beaver Day to World Oceans Day, the team creates meaningful opportunities for visitors to learn about wildlife, conservation and the unique species that call American Trail home. 

 “While exceptional animal care is at the heart of what they do every day, the American Trail team demonstrates that modern zookeeping involves far more than daily husbandry alone. The keepers take the lead in developing creative interpretive signage, crafting educational messaging, organizing keeper chats and animal demonstrations, and involving guests in creating special enrichment. Their passion for education, creativity and dedication to both animal care and conservation exemplify the very best of what it means to be a zookeeper." – Rebecca Sturniolo, Curator of Amazonia and American Trail 

Asia Trail

It's an un-bear-ably exciting time at the Zoo: seven-month-old sloth bear cubs Osborn ("Ozzy") and Champa officially made their public debut in late June! Visitors can watch the pair of cubs exploring, playing, and climbing through their Asia Trail habitat alongside their mother, Molly.

Back in April, the brother-sister duo underwent their first vet exam, guided by their keepers Stacey Tabellario and AJ Muheim. Both cubs were very brave and received clean bills of health!

"We spent several weeks training Osborn and Champa to voluntarily separate from their mom, Molly," Tabellario said in April. "Between their enclosure and the next one over is a mesh door. We raised it just enough to allow the cubs to pass underneath while Molly remained safely on the other side. A keeper stationed at the front of her enclosure rewarded Molly with treats—peanut butter and diluted apple and pineapple juices—for being calm.

"Once Ozzy and Champa were comfortable being away from mom, they learned to come to keepers who were in the enclosure with them. We desensitized them to our touch and acclimated them to some of the things they would experience during the vet exam. For example, we brought unfamiliar people into the space, placed a stethoscope on their chests, mimicked the pinch of a vaccine on their hip, and examined their body parts. For participating, we offered them the same treats that mom received. They enthusiastically snacked and sipped away!"

Bird House  

"Over the past year, the Bird House team demonstrated extraordinary dedication, expertise, and teamwork in advancing animal welfare, conservation and guest engagement. 

“The team successfully managed two periods of heightened avian influenza risk; celebrated over 100 hatches, including more than 55 ducklings; returned the flamingo flock to a fully restored habitat featuring improved filtration, expanded covered space for avian influenza mitigation and updated infrastructure; received the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Top Honors Exhibit Award; and engaged nearly 446,000 visitors, connecting thousands to bird conservation through keeper talks, special events and classroom programming.  

“Above all, the past year reflects the skill, resilience and passion of the Bird House keepers and staff. From early-morning feedings and meticulous health checks to successful hatches and emergency preparedness, their commitment ensures exceptional care for every bird, every day." – Sara Hallager, Curator of Bird House

Elephant Trails 

"On Feb. 2 at 1:15 a.m., we welcomed our little miracle elephant calf, Linh Mai, into the world. After years of preparation for her arrival, our team had every hope that she would be nurtured and cared for by her mother, Nhi Linh. As a first-time mom, we were planning a variety of outcomes, including the need to step in and help raise the calf. Ultimately, Nhi Linh and Linh Mai did not create the bond necessary for them to have a productive mother-daughter relationship. That is when the incredible elephant care staff stepped in to play a more intimate role in our newborn elephant's life.  

“On day one, our elephant care staff (a team of 14 amazing individuals) began round-the-clock care for Linh Mai. The team has been with our little 'spirit blossom' 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, providing her companionship, guidance, comfort and, most importantly, nutrition. Every two hours, we feed our calf bottles of milk replacement. Linh Mai’s care requires incredible dedication, patience and an element of personal sacrifice. The commitment established by this team to allow Linh Mai to thrive is truly incredible and the elephant care team deserves tremendous recognition for their truly heroic efforts. 

“Successfully raising Linh Mai is literally a Zoo-wide effort. Expertise, time and dedication has come from all facets and departments across our institution, including the Director's Office, Advancement, Guest Services, IT, Membership, Communications and Marketing, Volunteers, Education, Events, Wildlife Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition, Conservation and Research and Facilities. A special shout-out of gratitude and thanks goes to the rest of the Animal Care Sciences department at the Zoo. Animal keepers, assistant curators and curators from across our Washington, D.C., campus have also donated their time to assist with Linh Mai's upbringing. Every night, we have staff who offer their time to assist the elephant care team to provide Linh with her bottle feedings. Without this support we couldn't achieve the success of Linh's development that we have thus far had. For that, I am incredibly grateful." – Robbie Clark, Curator and Elephant Manager of Elephant Trails 

Great Cats 

"A zookeeper’s job is a hard one. Not just because they work outside during freezing temperatures and break up 'snowcrete'. Not just because they work outside during grueling 110-degree days. Not just because they work weekends and holidays, sacrificing time with family and friends because they are so dedicated to the excellent care of the animals. But because some days they must come to work and do the hardest thing possible in their chosen line of work: say goodbye to a beloved animal.  

“I am so proud of the professionalism and character that each member of the Great Cats team displayed this year. We were called upon to work in all of these tough conditions and to make this toughest, but best, decision for our iconic lioness, Shera. We are lucky to have this team of keepers and celebrate them every day—especially during National Zookeeper Week!" – Craig Saffoe, Curator of Large Carnivores

Kids' Farm 

"The Kids' Farm is committed to top-notch care of our geriatric animals. This includes training our miniature donkey herd—Giuseppe, Flash, Pat and George—for voluntary blood draws. Allowing donkeys to choose to participate in medical training allows for stress-free exams without sedation, which leads to better results. The team has been successful in voluntary blood collection numerous times over the past year. They continue to work with the donkeys and other Kids’ Farm animals on new behaviors so that they may participate in their own medical care." – Kenton Kerns, Curator of Kids' Farm and Small Mammal House

Nutrition Sciences 

"We recognize the dedicated keepers in the Department of Nutrition for their tireless pursuit of woody browse (leafy branches) and bamboo to keep the Zoo's animals healthy and happy. It is no small task to brave inclement weather, D.C. traffic and countless insects to hand cut over 3,000 pieces of browse weekly from our conservation campus in Front Royal, Virginia, and elsewhere across the greater Washington-metropolitan area."  – Bill Clements, Commissary Manager, and Christine Stout, Assistant Curator of the Commissary 

Primates 

"Primate keeper Lynne McMahan and veterinary technicians Jayne Hutcheson and Erin Wooden have been working diligently to train our silverback gorilla, Baraka, for acquiring awake voluntary blood samples. This training started several years ago, after a blood sample obtained during an anesthetic procedure showed an unusual value.  

“The process of training a behavior such as this is quite complex. Baraka had to learn to insert his arm into a PVC sleeve, keep a firm grip with his fingers, hold his arm perfectly still, and allow for a needle to be inserted into a vein. Due to the thickness of their skin and dark pigmentation, gorillas are notoriously difficult to acquire blood samples from, even when anesthetized. The first blood sample was successfully collected in January 2026!  

“This training milestone is a huge accomplishment that will allow for health monitoring without the need for anesthesia. Not only was this the first successful voluntary blood draw for Baraka, but it was the first performed on any gorilla at the Zoo." –  Becky Malinsky, Curator of Primates

Reptile Discovery Center 

"Keeper Sara Hasenstab was instrumental in creating a better and more enriching space for our two Komodo dragons, Marigold and Onyx, as they enter into adulthood. She trained both dragons to use shift areas and crates, allowing the animals to move into larger exhibit spaces with extensive areas for digging and climbing. This reduced stress for Marigold and Onyx as they move between spaces, created safer working conditions for Reptile Discovery Center staff and easier animal access for our Wildlife Health Sciences veterinary team. 

“In addition, Sara worked with veterinary technicians on voluntary ultrasound training with our female Komodo dragon, Marigold. After modifying an existing doorway in Marigold's denning area, Sara trained Marigold to climb up to the mesh door and present her ventral surface for the vet techs to ultrasound. This is extremely important from an animal health perspective as young female Komodo dragons can suffer from reproductive complications during breeding season. Sara's training program now allows us to routinely monitor Marigold and stay ahead of potential medical issues." –  Rick Quintero, Acting Curator of Reptile Discovery Center, and Matt Evans, Assistant Curator of Reptile Discovery Center

Small Mammal House 

“The Small Mammal House team have prioritized new behavioral training goals to maximize animal choice in participating in their own care. Two agoutis and a very nervous wallaby have been trained to enter crates, which makes transport to our veterinary hospital for exams stress-free for both animals and staff. Our Przewalski's horses have been trained to voluntarily receive injections and participate in blood draws. Last but not least, keepers have been working with our skunk and fennec foxes to interact with them behind-the-scenes, paving the way for possible future meet-and-greets with guests." –  Kenton Kerns, Curator of Kids' Farm and Small Mammal House 

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute 

"We'd like to recognize Erica Royer, a bird keeper at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's conservation campus is Front Royal, Virginia, for her continued dedication to, and success in, sihek (Guam kingfisher) breeding and rearing. Pairing and breeding the extinct-in-the-wild sihek is a very difficult process that requires a lot of precision and responsiveness, and Erica has approached it with mastery. Erica's hard work has resulted in the successful hatchings of six chicks, which is a record high for the Smithsonian. " – Wesley Bailey, Animal Keeper

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute 

"Ungulate keeper Rel Harwood not only cares for our animals, but also has been very flexible in assisting our carnivore and bird teams through cross-training and filling in during staff shortages. Rel has taken the initiative to learn and stay up-to-date on each team's specific, ever-changing routines. It's not an easy task, but it allows us to provide the best possible care to our animals while accommodating staff needs." –  Dolores Reed, Curator of Ungulates 

Wildlife Health Sciences 

"Sarah Napolitano and Erin Stewart, two animal keepers at the Zoo's veterinary hospital, have demonstrated excellence in quarantine animal management. All animals arriving at the National Zoo are quarantined for a minimum of 30 days for health reasons, which can be stressful for the animals and present unique challenges for keepers. Sarah and Erin prioritize welfare, minimize stress and encourage more positive behaviors in the animals they care for. 

“They have perfected strategies to consistently obtain voluntary weights on animals in quarantine, including some of the most challenging to work with, such as small shorebirds and flighty guineafowl. The ability to weigh animals without handling them reduces an animal's stress and improves monitoring during this delicate acclimation period. Additionally, this year, they have repeatedly redesigned enclosure spaces to allow for larger, more complex spaces in quarantine, such as upgraded reptile and songbird enclosures. Their diligence and skill ensure animals can thrive as soon as they arrive at the National Zoo." – Sarah Kaye, Supervisory Veterinarian, James Steeil, Supervisory Veterinarian, and Don Neiffer, Chief Veterinarian