Who's Who

How long have you worked at the Zoo?

Ashley: I started out as a Wildlife Services intern in 2017 and just reached my five-year anniversary.

Dani: I have worked at Jacksonville Zoo for one year.

What does a day in your shoes look like?

Ashley: My day usually starts with checking on all the manatees and feeding them their morning diet. They are fed four times a day, which can be very time consuming when there are five adult manatees eating 100 to 150 pounds each. I then spend a few hours completing cleaning tasks and scrubbing the pool. Depending on medical cases, we often have procedures once or twice a day or we need to get an updated weight on a manatee. Whenever possible, I carry out observations on the manatees using the Zoo Monitor app through our Wellness department and document every bit of information in our Zoological Information Management System. I love that there is always variety in the day and that the pace can quickly change when a manatee rescue occurs.

The new build of the Manatee River is typically discussed in daily meetings, and it is interesting to be a part of the process and share in everyone’s excitement. I also still work daily with the Wild Florida animals, so I spend a lot of time maintaining exhibits and training and enriching the animals that reside there.

Dani: As a manatee keeper, every day can vary greatly but usually our days revolve around the three different aspects of the Manatee Critical Care Center (MCCC), which are manatee rescues, rehabilitation and releases. Day to day rehabilitation for the manatees involves behavioral observations, facilitating medical procedures and feeding the manatees lots of romaine lettuce. Our busier days usually involve receiving a newly rescued ill or injured manatee, where we are able to assist Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in the rescue and/or transport of the manatee to the MCCC for veterinary care and rehabilitation. When a manatee has been fully rehabilitated and is ready to be released, we will transport the manatee by truck to a pre-determined site and release them back to the wild. In addition to caring for manatees, I also help care for other native Florida mammal species and African primate species, which usually involves cleaning exhibits, administering medications and animal training.

Ashley Nelson, Mammal Keeper III

What were your previous jobs/career paths and how did they lead you here?

Ashley: I spent my first years out of high school working as many different jobs as I could. I think there are important life lessons that can be learned from exploring different areas of work, so I had jobs in everything from hospitality, fast food, road work and retail. I volunteered in an animal shelter and participated in the ZooTeens! program with the Oregon Zoo when I was younger, but my passion for art originally sent me down a career path towards Costume Design for the film industry. I realized that I loved being outdoors and working with animals more, so I went back to school for Zoology. I graduated with a focus in conservation and research of endangered species, which led me to an internship here at the Manatee Critical Care Center.

Dani: After graduating Georgia State University with a bachelors in biology, I was accepted for an animal care internship with the Navy Marine Mammal Program where I got hands-on experience in the day of a life of a marine mammal trainer. After my internship I immediately got my scuba certification, an important prerequisite skill to become a marine mammal trainer, and started a job at a local dive shop in Jacksonville where I was able to expand upon my scuba diving knowledge extensively. Building this skill eventually paid off as I was hired by the Navy Marine Mammal Program as a marine mammal trainer, where I worked with Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and California Sea Lions for two years. I loved my job as an animal trainer, but I felt the calling to explore work with different species of animals in different contexts. I saw the opportunity for a unique internship with Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens where I would be able to utilize my marine mammal background, as well as work with my second love, great apes! I started as an intern, and then was hired as a keeper assistant and then finally hired as a full-time manatee keeper.

Dani and Ashley

What is your favorite animal?

Ashley: My favorite animal has always been the elephant. It was a career goal of mine to work with them and I finally had the chance to work with Asian elephants at a sanctuary in Thailand. As a close living relative, I didn’t stray too far by working with manatees.

Dani: My favorite animal is actually the Orangutan I just find them hysterical and so endearing!

What is your favorite exhibit?

Ashley: That is a tough choice! I love the gardens we have, especially Savanna Blooms and Asian Gardens with the bamboo forests. I also love Wild Florida because of the natural and peaceful feel the overhanging trees provide. I do love the newer exhibits like Land of the Tiger and the Kapok tree in African Forest, as well, that offer more enriching experiences for the animals.

Dani: My favorite exhibit is the gorilla exhibit.

When or how did you first develop an interest in animals/the zoo world/education?

Ashley: Our family grew up with a variety of pets; there were always animals in the house. My mom grew up the same way and has that caring heart that can never let a stray animal go without a home. We cared for cats, dogs, guinea pigs, lizards, even a skunk and a Canadian goose. My mom is the reason I have an interest in rehabilitation and a passion for working with animals.

Dani: When I was a kid in the late 90’s I had every episode of “Really Wild Animals” on VHS which I would watch on repeat. This show is where I first learned about Jane Goodall who became my greatest inspiration and continues to be to this very day. I also grew up visiting Zoo Atlanta countless times; it was my absolute favorite place to visit and it definitely had a large influence on my love for animals and zoos.

Are you native to Florida? If so, where? If not, where did you grow up?

Ashley: I was born in Oregon and lived there until I was 21. I’ve lived in a lot of different places since, but I still go back as often as I can to visit family. It really is a beautiful state and I miss being able to get “lost” in the mountains.

Dani: I am not a native, but have been living in Jacksonville, FL for five years. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia.

What is your favorite part of your career or what is your most memorable experience at the Zoo (or your old zoo)?

Ashley: My favorite part of my career is the work we do with the rescue, rehabilitation and release of manatees. I have been with the Critical Care Center (almost) since the first manatees arrived and have been able to work with every manatee that has been in our care. They are such fascinating animals with different personalities, but Buckeye and Cassie (the first rescues) will always hold a special place in my heart. The most rewarding part is participating in every aspect of the manatee’s rehab, from the rescue, overnight care, procedures and the release. We don’t do training or enrichment with the manatees, so it’s our way as keepers of getting to connect with the animals. I think Inigo, with his long-term care, has easily been one of the most memorable manatees!

Dani: My favorite part of my job is whenever we release one of our rehabilitated Florida manatees. I’m so grateful for the privilege to contribute to the conservation of the Florida manatee in the most hands-on way possible.