Orana - Bob Stoop, exotics keeper
Bob Stoop is an exotics keeper at Orana Wildlife Park.
Get to know more of the keepers featured in Wild
Vets by clicking here.
What animals do you work with?
Siamang Gibbon Apes, Spider Monkeys, Ringtailed Lemurs,
Black & White Ruffed Lemurs, Porcupines, Otters and
Meerkats.
How long have you worked as a keeper?
One year.
Why did you become a keeper?
Day to day job satisfaction and to gain experience to
open up future opportunities working with exotic animals.
Where in the world have you worked as a keeper and what
animals did you work with?
I've only worked at Orana Wildlife Park as a keeper but
previously worked with the Park's hootstock animals such as Rhinos,
Springbok, Antelope etc.
What is you favourite animal?
Gibbons, rhinos, tigers.
What animal would you like to have in your backyard?
A Rhino, it would save me mowing the lawns!
What animal would you most like to see in the wild?
Siamang Gibbon.
Which animal do you relate to the most?
Any ape!
What do you love most about your job?
Hands on primate work. Interacting with the various
primate troops I work with.
What would you change about your job?
Nothing.
If you could make one change to help save endangered
animals what would it be?
Zero tolerance for poachers and people involved in the
pet and fur trades.
Advice for future keepers?
Work hard. Get as much animal husbandry experience as you
can.
