Anita Langstone

Trainee Zookeeper

I love them all but to pick one it would be the gorillas.

4 Years

How did you become a zookeeper?
I studied field ecology in University College Cork, became a zoo volunteer and after a year a position came up and here I am!

What kind of animals do you take care of?
Currently I look after the Western Lowland gorillas or the Borrean orangutang, Siamang gibbons, macaques, spider monkeys and lemurs. I have looked after the Amur and Sunatran tigers, snow leopards and wolves also.

Which are your favourite animals in the Zoo?
I love them all but to pick one it would be the gorillas.

Do you have any pets at home?
I have 6 goldfish in a pond in the back garden.

Can you tell us one of your most exciting/most memorable moments in the Zoo?
There are many! Observing a baby gorilla, Kambiri, suckle for the first time from her hand-reared mother Mayari was very special.

What do you love most about your job?
I enjoy the satisfaction of giving the animals the best care I can, and seeing them active and happy.

What’s the most difficult thing about your work?
It's difficult when an animal you have looked after gets sick or even dies, but you have to move on for the other animals.

When you’re not working in the zoo, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
I enjoy golf, hiking, beach walks, reading and spending time with family and friends.