Day 56: February 25, 2016 ZooAtlanta

Jodi Carrigan, Primate Caretaker at ZooAtlanta

February 25, 2016
Day 56  ZooAtlanta


Learning invigorates me. I can not get enough and as soon as I begin to learn about a new subject I then want to work in that subject. Over the years I have recognized this urge and channeled it to learn as much as I can without making major life changes. But all I want to do right now is move to Rwanda and count gorillas.

We just spoke with Jodi Carrigan today. She is the primate caretaker for the largest population of western lowland gorillas in captivity. She is laid back, friendly, knowledgeable and available to talk with ten students from Elverson, PA. That's some kind of woman.

Her claim to fame, in our school, is that she rehabilitated Ivan, the western lowland gorilla, featured in the heartwarming children's book, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. Ivan had been in a mall in Tacoma Washington for 27 years of his life before he arrived at ZooAtlanta. If you are unfamiliar with this story it is worth your time.

Today we learned that western lowland gorillas sport a population that is not near extinction. But just to be safe, the genetic pool at ZooAtlanta is maintained and controlled by a group Jodi is part of. She is also part of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund doing her part to make sure the gorilla population is protected. It is simply fascinating to learn not only about the gorillas but Jodi's involvement.

This woman, Jodi, grew up somewhere in Reading with no local zoo anywhere. Her interest, she says, is probably from some article or television show she watched. It only takes a spark....

Thank you Jodi for being available! May you flourish, along with the gorillas, in your line of work.