Keeper Q & A

 Name: Josh Prince

Title: Animal Area Technician, Antelope

Tenure: Antelope area for 3 ½ years, Part-time trainer/water quality tech 1 ½ yrs, Adult volunteer 1 ½ years

Residence: Bethany, Oklahoma

Keeper Q & A

1. What kinds of animals do you work with in the antelope area?

We work with a very wide variety of different animals in the antelope/Oklahoma Trails area. We work with bison, bats, black rat snakes, owls, kangaroos, wolves, bees, otters and many more.  Overall we work with around 35 different species of animals.

2. Why do you feel your job is important?

Without keepers the animals would not be doing very well in the zoo. We clean up after the animals and make sure they get fed as well as make sure they are not sick or injured and if they are we help treat them. We help communicate the information about the animals to visitors, and answer questions they may have. We also do what we can to make the animal visitor interaction as special as possible for our guests.

3. What are some of your favorite animals to work with and why?

My favorites are the North American River Otters because they are so fun to watch and train with everyday. They have such bright personalities you could just sit and watch them for hours playing. That is why I am in charge of their training and enrichment program. Every day they do something different that makes me realize how smart they really are. I am sure other keepers would not agree but in my opinion the otters are the best in the Zoo.

4. When did you know you wanted to be a Zoo keeper?

I actually have had the opportunity to fulfill a life long dream. I have wanted to be a keeper since I was in 5^th grade. Now that I am a keeper I do not regret it for a minute. Every day is a new day and it brings new challenges and rewards with every step - I would not trade my job for anything.

5. What is your favorite Zoo memory from when you were young?

The best memory that I have was of the dolphins and the shows that they did. I always wanted to volunteer to go up and help and be able to touch the dolphins but I never got picked out of the crowd. But the experience of watching what the dolphins could do was enough to excite me into wanting to be keeper. 

About Me:

I have been married for 6 ½ years have and I have a beautiful little girl that is 3 ½ and another little girl on the way. I really like to go cycling, be outside, playing any kind of sports and just spending time with my family.