Dr. Stephanie Allard, Curator of Research and Animal Welfare at the Palm Beach Zoo in Florida.

In today’s post, we meet Dr. Stephanie Allard from the Palm Beach Zoo in Florida – another one of the thosands of dedicated people working at accredited zoos and aquariums who care deeply about wildlife.

Describe your job: I oversee the Zoo’s behavioral programs from research to enrichment and husbandry training. I’m also involved in the Zoo’s conservation initiatives and I oversee the animal care and research internship program.

How long have you been in the position? I have been at the Zoo since 2006 and in my current position since 2009.

What in your background helped you get the job? The combination of education, applied research, and hands-on experience I acquired both in graduate school and working as an animal manager

What’s your favorite thing about job? No two days are the same and I’m always learning something new, so I’m never bored!

Describe a favorite memory/experience in your current position:  Sitting riveted to my computer screen in the middle of the night while remotely watching our female Malayan tiger give birth to three healthy cubs.

Do you have a favorite animal? Why is it your favorite?   There’s no way I could narrow it down to just one.  I love watching our family group of golden lion tamarins interact with each other, I’m fascinated by the way giant anteaters explore their environment, and I can spend hours observing the many bird species that co-exist in our aviary. The way animals navigate their world, both spatially and socially, is incredibly interesting.
Tim Lewthwaite