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.

Water Quality Specialist Cameo VonStrohe is responsible for replicating the water of the animals at Newport Aquarium’s natural environment.

Name: Cameo VonStrohe

Title: Water Quality Specialist

Exhibit(s) in which you work: No exhibits, just the dihydrogen monoxide!

Month and Year in which you began working at NAq? May 2001.

What is your favorite animal at Newport Aquarium? Cownose rays & garden eels!

What has been the most rewarding experience while working at NAq? Playing “Mother Nature” with the water to keep the water as close to the animals’ natural environment as possible.

What’s your favorite part of your job? Atomic absorption spectrophotometer and superb co-workers.

How and when did you decide to get into the zookeeper field? A visit to an aquarium while vacationing in Virginia Beach during high school.

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.