By Josh Saunders
Zookeepers ‘horse around’ in hilarious photographs recreating poses of the animals they take care of.
The team at Minnesota Zoo, US, have spent time during breaks and lunches to construct the images that aim to celebrate the work they do.
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Capers the Sea Otter)
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Our 2017 winners, Zookeeper Anna with Zookeeper Maggie, knocked it out of the park, with their millipede photo (pictured).
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Zookeepers Cathy & Kelli as snow monkeys, Tropics Trail with Anne-katrin Kirschner at Minnesota Zoo.2017)
They aimed to replicate the amusing expressions and positions of the animals they look after drawing much attention online.
Their shots from two-years-ago to now, range from mimicking millipedes, marsupials and macaques to copying camels, munching hay like a horse, imitating seals, sea lions, turtles, otters, and more.
The commented online, ‘Our dedicated zookeepers are starting to resemble the animals in their care.’
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Zookeepers Bridget and Taryn as Cannon the beaver, Close Encounters 2017
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Northern Trails Shelby as one of our Bactrian camels.)
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Zookeeper Cathy as a tree kangaroo! at Minnesota Zoo. 2016)
They revealed their best of shots from National Zoo Keeper Week (NZKW) – a celebration from the American Association of Zoo Keepers.
Jessica Larios, chair of the NZKW committee, said: “I wanted to give us the opportunity to have fun and be goofy, hoping to foster pride and comradery.
“It was so fun, everyone got really into it and the friendly competition inspired us to go so far above and beyond.
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Zookeeper Jim as a kangaroo, Kangaroo Crossing at Minnesota Zoo.)
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Nolan, Kelly, Cathy _ Maria)
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Our Northern Trail Zookeepers as our camel herd, from the back. at Minnesota Zoo.2017 copy)
“Our days are extremely busy, so people made time during their breaks and lunch to take their pictures.
“We dedicate our lives to this profession because we’re so passionate about our animals and their message.
“We work hard physically, are tired, dirty and are so invested emotionally, we deal with loss of animals we care so much about.
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Taryn, Bridget, Garra _ Tony)
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Zookeepers Hannah and Jim as takins!)
- PICS BY MINNESOTA ZOO / CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED: Zookeeper Cassie as a wallaby, Kangaroo Crossing at Minnesota Zoo.2017)
“That is why it’s so important to recognize these amazing dedicated zoo keepers.
“We’re working so hard to give all of you a glimpse of how incredible these animals are and how we can help to save their wild cousins.”
For more information, visit: www.mnzoo.org.