Born In California, Will now lives in New York, and this is his third year of working at the zoo. Here’s what he shared about being a zoo curator in a brief Q&A:

“My favorite animal at the zoo is Scooter the otter. She is a very clever girl. I love how she regularly finds a way to use the water to her advantage (like getting enrichment from a tough space). I also love her energy and playfulness.”

“Last year there was a medical procedure being performed on a wolf. I was able to watch through the window in the kitchen as the procedure took place. Even though I was not personally a part of the procedure, it was incredible to see, and I truly hope in the future I’ll be able to be a hands-on participant.”

“A huge part of my education in the zoo has been learning about how different animals are from each other. Each animal has a specific set of needs, though at the same time, at end of the day the common theme is that each animal needs water, food, and enrichment. Another thing I’ve learned is how important it is to be a part of the AZA program. We are a contributor to this program. We trade species and constantly change enrichment and health procedures to stay in line with the parameters of the AZA. I’ve also learned about how to interact with guests, how to teach and lead Zooies, and much more. If I were to talk about everything I’ve learned from working at the zoo, it would take a while.”