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Cindy Leeson
Why did you want to be a zookeeper?I grew up in
How do you get the orangutans in and out of their exhibit?
The animals take turns being in the outdoor exhibit. Shifting is important because we never enter enclosures with our adult orangutans for safety reasons. So they must respond to verbal commands to move from one enclosure to another. When I ask them if they want to go out, they will respond by stationing at the tunnel between enclosures. Then I close one door and open the door to the outdoor exhibit. When it’s time for them to come in, we blow a whistle as a signal. In less than a minute, the animals move to the door.
What is the most important thing you do for the animals in your care?
We want to make life at the Zoo interesting for our animals. Orangutans are very smart. We try to think of ways to make them think and work for their treats, but sometimes they outsmart us. One time, we carefully placed treats inside a phone book, so the animals would enjoy turning the pages and discovering a treat on each page. Instead, the orangutan just lifted the phonebook and shook it, and all the treats fell to the ground.
What do you like most and least about your job?
Working at the Zoo requires you to work outside and in any weather. Here in
What advice would you give to students who may pursue a job like yours?
If someone is interested in pursuing a career at the Zoo, the best way to learn about the job is through volunteering. Volunteers work side-by-side with the Zookeepers and it is an excellent way to gain experience.
What kind of education and training would a person need to become a Houston Zoo Primate Zookeeper?
As with any job, education is the key. The Houston Zoo prefers individuals with a science related degree. However, having animal husbandry experience is a plus. Caring for a pet or working on a farm is a good way to learn about animals, their behavior and their care. Primates, in particular, have behavior so closely related to humans that working with children can be beneficial to understanding why primates do what they do.
