Kelly Taylor

Keeper, Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Section/animals worked with: 

Cheetah, African Wild Dogs, Lemurs, Monkeys and Apes, Otters and Indian Rhino – here at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Q1) How long have you been working as a zoo keeper?

I have been working with animals on and off since 2000 and have been employed by zoos for six and a half years.  I started at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in November 2008.

Q2) How did you get into zoo keeping as a profession?

I completed my university internship (B.A. Applied science – wildlife biology) at the Territory Wildlife Park in Darwin and volunteered with Conservation Volunteers Australia as well as the local rangers working with forest re-generation and national park wildlife diversity studies.  I was looking to get more hands-on animal experience with Australian animals, so I volunteered at Australia Zoo and ended up working in the native animals department for three and a half years.  After doing some travelling, I ended up working at Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand with a range of primates.  The call of the home country brought me back and I have been working here at Taronga Western Plains since late 2008.

Q3) What do you love most about your job?

Being involved with breeding programs which are contributing to conservation efforts for endangered animals whilst also being able to interact and get these messages across to visitors. I get to explain the threats which these animals face in the wild and tell them about the important role Zoos play in helping save species – even beyond their boundaries.

Q4) What has been the wildest moment of your career so far?

So far it has been seeing our cheetah breeding introduction and observation efforts come to fruition and finding out that our female cheetah Asali was pregnant!