Celebrating our Aquarists!

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and its members celebrate the important work of zoo keepers and aquarists this week. National Zoo Keeper Week highlights the significant role of zoo keepers and aquarists in animal care and conservation.

“The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is proud of the hard-working zoo keepers and aquarists who care for more than 700,000 animals in 218 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “Zoo keepers and aquarists are highly-educated, hard-working, and dedicated to the animals in their care.”

“We hope that when people visit zoos and aquariums all year-round, they will thank the zoo keepers and aquarists they meet,” says Maddy.

Created by the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK), National Zoo Keeper Week is celebrated each year beginning on the third Sunday in July. During the week, zoos nationwide honor animal care professionals and the work they do in animal care, conservation, and education. There are approximately 6,000 animal care professionals in the United States.

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher would like to thank its aquarists and aquarist technicians for all their hard work:

Aquarists:
Rich Bamberger
Keith Farmer
Julie Johnson
Melissa Johnson
Marc Niell
Mike Suchy

Aquarist Data Technician:
Ginger Black

Aquarist Technicians:
Matt Babineau
Monica Dudley
Michael Romano
Karrie Stall
Kari Ysland
April Zild