Elephant Care Information
Keepers and elephants interact through protected contact |
The Los Angeles Zoo's elephant team plays a vital role in the health and welfare of our animals. The elephant team has a total of over 100 years of combined experience working with animals here at the Zoo.
The design of the habitat makes taking care of the animals much easier than in the Zoo's old facility. First and foremost, the size of the habitat is much larger than the old enclosure. Other additions have been added for the well-being of the elephants including pools and waterfalls. These water features allow for bathing opportunities that the elephants can choose to initiate.
The habitat's varied topography provides great terrain for the animals, while over two feet of soft river sand provides a soft substrate for the animals to stand on. The elephant barn is equipped with elephant sized bedrooms and heated floors.
When animal care staff needs to interact with the elephants, they will utilize protected contact. Protected contact does not allow Zoo staff to share the same physical space as the elephant, but rather utilizes safety barriers and positive reinforcement to manage the animals.
Billy, the Zoo's male Asian elephant has been cared for in this manner since he was eight year old. Tina and Jewel will also be cared for utilizing protected contact.
Please read the following interviews of our elephant team:
Keeper Interviews
Jennie Becker, Curator of MammalsHow long have you been at the L.A. Zoo? How did you become a curator? What’s your favorite part of your job? What’s your least favorite part of your job? What’s a typical day like? What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned from the elephants? What are your hobbies? Do you have advice for those who want to work with animals at a zoo? What were your favorite animals to work with when you were a keeper? Do the elephants have distinct personality traits or quirks? |
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Vicky Guarnett, Animal Keeper/Elephant ManagerHow long have you been at the L.A. Zoo? How did you become a keeper? What’s your favorite part of your job? What’s your least favorite part of your job? What’s a typical day like? What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned from the elephants? What are your hobbies? Do you have advice for those who want to become keepers? Do the elephants have distinct personality traits or quirks? |
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Don Aguirre, Animal Keeper/Elephant ManagerHow long have you been at the L.A. Zoo? How did you become a keeper? What’s your favorite part of your job? What’s your least favorite part of your job? What’s a typical day like? What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned from the elephants? What are your hobbies? Have you worked with any other animals at the L.A. Zoo? |
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Scott Haist, Animal Keeper/Elephant ManagerHow long have you been at the L.A. Zoo? What’s your favorite part of your job? What’s your least favorite part of your job? What’s a typical day like? What are your hobbies? Do you have advice for those who want to become keepers? Do the elephants have distinct personality traits or quirks? |
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Dean Lofgren, Elephant HandlerHow long have you been at the L.A. Zoo? How did you become a keeper? What’s your favorite part of your job? What’s your least favorite part of your job? What’s a typical day like? What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned from the elephants? What are your hobbies? Do you have advice for those who want to become keepers? Have you worked with any other animals at the L.A. Zoo? Do the elephants have distinct personality traits or quirks? |
