Meet the Keeper

Anne Donnelly

Central New York native, Anne Donnelly, graduated from North Syracuse High School without a single science course under her belt.  Though it was her intention to major in business, Anne decided late in her senior year of high school that she wanted a career working with animals. Luckily, LeMoyne College offered an excellent biology program, which allowed Anne to explore a variety of animal-related careers.

As a kid, the idea of working at a zoo always interested her and when the "new zoo" opened in 1986, the idea became even more intriguing.  After graduating from LeMoyne in 1987, Anne accepted a job in the Zoo's maintenance department.  For nine years she helped keep zoo grounds clean and in good repair.  While on maternity leave with her second child, Anne received a phone call from the Zoo offering her a zookeeper position on the Wildlife Trail.  For the past 12 years, Anne has spent her time at the Zoo caring for a variety of animals, including snow leopards, gray wolves, tigers, red pandas and white-lipped deer.

Like many of the keepers, training is one of Anne's favorite things to do.  "Training wasn't always a high priority in the zoo world," she says.  "We've come such a long way and we can really see the difference training makes in our interactions with the animals."  

Currently, she is working with the new female snow leopard, Zena.  Many of the animals at the Zoo are trained to "shift" from the main exhibit to a holding area located behind-the-scenes.  Zena has not readily taken to the idea of shifting and it's Anne's job to train her to do so.  In the meantime, she's constantly thinking of new ideas to encourage Zena to move from one location to the other.

When training isn't presenting a challenge, the Central New York weather often is - especially in the winter.  Anne and her co-workers wear lots of layers to stay warm.  However, the bulkiness of their clothes makes it tough to navigate the steep hills and rocks on the Wildlife Trail.  "We're always trying not to fall," says Anne.  "It definitely takes longer to complete our daily routines in the winter."

The cold weather isn't always bad, however.  Many of the animals enjoy the snow, which often serves as enrichment.  "We've been known to build mini-snowmen for the red pandas," says Anne.  "We get a good laugh out of watching the pandas knock them over."