February 04, 2025
When guests visit Wild Adventures Theme Park, they’re often drawn to the incredible animals that call our park home. For Kristen Jenkins, Head Zookeeper and Supervisor, and the zoological department at Wild Adventures, this isn't just a job - it’s a passion. No two days are alike. From bottle-feeding baby animals to designing a brand-new habitat, every moment is a chance to make a difference in the lives of the park’s amazing residents.
Behind The Adventure All Blogs
“A typical day for a zookeeper starts early,” Kristen explains. “The animals wake up before the park does, and they’re ready for breakfast!” With a team of 11 keepers caring for over 150 animals, mornings are a flurry of activity. Keepers like Kristen begin by prepping meals for everything from tigers and alligators to monkeys and exotic birds. Each diet is carefully tailored to meet specific nutritional needs and ensure the animals at Wild Adventures stay in tip-top shape.
Once meals are ready, it’s feeding time, which Kristen describes as one of her favorite parts of the job. “Feeding isn’t just about putting food in the habitat,” she says. “It’s about observing the animals, ensuring they’re eating well, and looking for any changes in their behavior or health.”
Zookeeping goes far beyond feeding. The zoological team dedicates time to maintaining and improving habitats. Whether they’re cleaning enclosures or building new spaces, keepers ensure each habitat is safe and is filled with enrichment opportunities.
What’s enrichment you ask? Enrichment is anything that stimulates an animal mentally or physically, keeping them active and engaged. It’s the keeper's job to create tasks and toys that provide enrichment for each of the animals at Wild Adventures. “One day we might hang a puzzle feeder for the monkeys, and the next, we’re hiding scents in the bear habitat for them to track,” Kristen shares. “Enrichment encourages natural behaviors and makes life more interesting for the animals.”
Zookeeping is a demanding job, with keepers working 365 days a year, including holidays. “The animals don’t know it’s Christmas or your birthday,” Kristen says with a laugh. “They need us every day.”
Despite the challenges, Kristen finds her work immensely rewarding. “There’s nothing like the bond you build with these animals. They learn to trust you, and you get to know their individual personalities.”
When asked about her favorite animal at Wild Adventures, Kristen can’t pick just one. “They all hold a special place in my heart, but Oscar the sloth is definitely up there. He’s so curious and gentle—you can’t help but smile around him.”
For those inspired by Kristen’s story, becoming a zookeeper requires a mix of education, experience, and passion. Many keepers at Wild Adventures have degrees in biology, zoology, or animal husbandry. Others start with hands-on experience, working their way up from positions like petting zoo attendant to bio aid, assistant keeper, and eventually full-time zookeeper.
“The most important thing is a love for animals and a willingness to work hard,” Kristen advises. “This job isn’t glamorous, but it’s incredibly fulfilling.”
Behind The Adventure All Blogs
