This Zookeeper Week, we went behind the scenes with Caroline, one of the dedicated keepers at Northwest Trek. Caroline cares for some of our most iconic carnivores, including wolves, bears, cats, and foxes. She shared what inspired her to become a keeper and what caring for wildlife means to her.

How long have you been a zookeeper?

I’ve been a keeper for 4.5 years (2 years full-time and 2.5 years part-time)

What do you wish more people knew about the species you care for?

While large carnivores can be intimidating, they are not something to be afraid of! They play an important role in our ecosystems, and we can all coexist peacefully as long as we learn to respect and treat them as wild animals.

Can you share a moment when you really connected with an animal?

When I first started working at Northwest Trek, I spent a lot of time working with the cats, especially our two bobcats. One of the bobcats, Tahoma, was relatively new when I first started, so I worked with him quite a bit when he was in his earlier stages of socialization. He was pretty reserved and hesitant when I started, and now he has flourished into a confident and spunky bobcat! I felt very connected to him as his personality started to come out, and I still remember the first time I heard him vocalize! (Besides growling, of course)

What’s a recent success or milestone you’re proud of in your work?

We’ve recently put in a lot of time and energy towards acclimating our two new rescued cougar cubs, Sienna and Sullivan. They both had a traumatic start to their lives as cubs, so we’ve gone above and beyond to make them as comfortable as possible in a new place. I’m proud of the progress Sullivan has made in his difficult journey, and I’m proud of my team for always adapting to meet his needs and face all of the challenges that came with caring for him. I’m especially proud of the socialization we’ve done with Sienna in such a short time. She was very shy and wary at first, and now she’s blossomed into a bold, spicy girl with lots of personality!

What inspired you to become a keeper?
A. I interned and worked at a variety of places (wildlife rehab, refuges, shelters, zoos, sanctuaries) because I knew I wanted to work with animals one day. I was most drawn to working with animals that were reserved and under-socialized. In particular, I was inspired by the time I spent interning at a big cat sanctuary with residents that had challenging and traumatic backstories. I am very passionate about the exotic pet trade and wildlife conservation, and knew I could educate others on the importance of these topics as a keeper, as well as continue to advocate for the animals involved in those difficult circumstances!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a zookeeper?

Start volunteering and get your foot in the door early. It is a competitive field, but it is worth it! I moved across the country for my first zookeeper position, so be prepared to move around a lot until you find the right fit.

What’s one of your funniest or most memorable animal moments?

Most of my funniest animal moments involve our rescued grizzly bears because they are so goofy and energetic, especially with enrichment! One moment, in particular, was last summer when we gave them large Weebles in their habitat, and they both had the best time! Hawthorne immediately sat and rolled around in his Weeble, just like he did as a cub in a smaller version. It was so funny to see an 800-pound bear acting like he was a cub all over again!

Do you have a favorite animal to work with, and why?

I am a cat lady at heart, so all the felids are my favorite! I enjoy how stubborn and challenging they can be, and it makes me more appreciative of every milestone, big or small, they achieve. My favorite individual at Northwest Trek is Tahoma, one of our bobcats, because of his unique and sassy personality! I also love the new cougar cubs, because I’ve enjoyed seeing all of the progress they’ve made in such a short time!

What’s your favorite animal fact to share with guests?

I love talking to guests about our bears, especially about how they don’t truly hibernate! Bears enter a lighter state of sleep called torpor, which is very similar to hibernation. Even though our bears grew up and live at Northwest Trek, they still naturally exhibit behaviors as they would in the wild. I enjoy seeing them change by the season, and I love telling guests about it.

Honorable mention: I enjoy telling guests about the vocalizations (particularly during breeding season) that Canada lynx make! They are like nothing you’ve ever heard before, and I recommend looking it up for a good laugh.