National Zoo Keeper Week is celebrated during the third week of July each year. As the need to protect and preserve our wildlife and vanishing habitats increases, zoo keeper’s roles as educators and wildlife ambassadors become more essential. Throughout this week, Newport Aquarium will highlight members of our dedicated animal husbandry staff.

Before Newport Aquarium opened in May 1999, Sr. Biologist Crystal Phillips traveled to Adventure World near Shirahama, Japan to bring king penguins to Northern Kentucky. (Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer)

Title: Senior Aquatic Biologist

Exhibits/Areas of Responsibility: Parts of Frog Bog; Aquatic/terrestrial quarantine; and records.

Month and Year in which you began working at NAq? November 1998

What is your favorite animal at Newport Aquarium? Penguins

What has been the most rewarding experience while working at NAq? Being given the opportunity to work with such a diverse collection of species.

What’s your favorite part of your job? Seeing the animals thrive, and the guests who enjoy connecting with the animals. Also sharing with guests information about the animals and why they are important.

How and when did you decide to get into the zookeeper field? Quite young – elementary school – at least for biology. It was narrowed down to zookeeping in college.

About the American Association of Zoo Keepers
The mission of The American Association of Zoo Keepers is to advance excellence in the animal keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life.