About Kelsey Forbes
Passionate and dedicated animal care professional with proven experience in the care and welfare in primates, large and small carnivore, pachyderms and hoofstock.
Experience
Curator of Mammals
Gladys Porter Zoo
May 2026 — Present
Curators of Mammals
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Apr 2023 — Apr 2026
Assistant Curator of Primates
Audubon Nature Institute
Jan 2020 — Apr 2023 · New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Overseas and manages the primate collection and staff at the Audubon Zoo
Animal Keeper
Utah’s Hogle zoo
Aug 2017 — Jan 2020
Provided the daily husbandry of several areas including large carnivores, hoofstock and pachyderms.
Animal Keeper
San Antonio Zoo
Feb 2015 — Aug 2017 · San Antonio, Texas Area
Supports and implements zoo policies, protocols and procedures to ensure the highest standards of care for animals and the safety of staff and guests with little to no supervision. Provides high level of daily husbandry and care for a wide variety of taxa including: Pachyderms, Large and small carnivores, lesser apes, old and new world primates and other various mammals. Daily Preparation of diets, medications and butchering, Well versed in tagging,protocols, catch and restraint, including netting and hand grabbing and moving animals Provided daily keeper talks and guest interactions, Exhibit maintenance including basic carpentry and metalwork, weed eating, mowing, painting, and reperching
Senior Keeper
Gulf Breeze Zoo
Sep 2013 — Mar 2015
Supports and implements zoo policies, protocols and procedures to ensure the highest standards of care for animals and the safety of staff and guests with little to no supervision. Provides high level of daily husbandry and care for a wide variety of taxa including: Large carnivores, Great and lesser apes, old and new world primates, small felids, hippos, rhinos, a variety of large and small hoofstock including Sables, Dama gazelles, Giraffes and greater Kudu, large collection of avian species including birds of prey, reptiles and domestic animals. Daily Preparation of diets, medications and butchering, Well versed in tagging,protocols, catch and restraint, including netting and hand grabbing and moving animals Provided daily keeper talks and guest interactions, Exhibit maintenance including basic carpentry and metalwork, weed eating, mowing, painting, and reperching Participated on the Zoos immobilization team Prepared the zoo for the ZAA conference
Lead Keeper
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
May 2008 — May 2013
Provides daily care for all animals in area including Dromedary Camels, Haflinger Horses, Gypsy Vanner horses, Llamas, domestic hoof-stock and Budgies. Transferred to primate department in October 2012 Trained in all areas including Petting Zoo, Budgie Aviary, Pony Ride, Camel Ride and Carriage ride and has trained many new employees in all areas. Hired and managed several employees and was an acting supervisor. Helped with veterinary procedures including Catch and Restraint of animals in our area Has provided consistently positive guest interactions and maintained a clean safety record Helped train camels to give rides Trained all Gypsy Vanner’s for Pony Ride along with foals in area Started the Enrichment Program in our area
Education
Florida State University
Bachelor of Arts - BA · Anthropology
Palm Harbor University High School
Diploma
2004 — 2007
Skills
- Hand Rearing
- Environmental Education
- Wildlife Conservation
- Animal Training
- Birds
- Mammals
- Reptiles
- Animal Husbandry
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