KAREN SAMARELLI
Friendswood,TX
Summary
Experienced Zookeeper with broad knowledge in animal behavior, enrichment, positive reinforcement training methods, and exhibit upkeep. Strengths include strong observational skills, problem-solving acumen, and ability to adapt and respond appropriately. Previous roles have demonstrated clear improvements in animal welfare standards, while actively engaging audiences through educational programs on conservation issues.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Interpretive Naturalist\Educator
Downtown Aquarium
Houston, Texas
04.2025 - Current
- Delivered engaging presentations to schools and community groups, fostering interest in biological subjects.
- Engaged visitors with educational chats about animal behavior and conservation.
- Handled ambassador animals for public presentations.
- Represented organization to provide fun, informative educational programs, and tours on animals and wildlife.
- Developed educational displays highlighting local ecosystems and endangered species to raise awareness.
- Monitored visitor interactions to promote safety and enjoyment in the exhibits.
- Trained new staff on proper animal handling and safety protocols.
- Ensured animal welfare by monitoring health and escalating issues to supervisors.
- Supported animal health by assisting with feeding and care routines.
- Received comments and complaints and worked to deliver solutions to achieve member and guest satisfaction.
- Conveyed and utilized strong communication and interpersonal skills to establish positive rapport with students, parents and fellow educators.
- Encouraged positive self-esteem and mutual respect for others while instilling joy of learning and discovery.
- Served guests with enthusiastic, helpful demeanor to promote positive, memorable experiences.
- Participated in conservation efforts through community outreach initiatives.
Night Zookeeper
Tyler Zoo
Tyler, Texas
07.2018 - 08.2018
- Patrolled zoo grounds, and perimeters to ensure safety of the animal collection at night.
- Coordinated nightly maintenance tasks to ensure safe environments for animals and guests.
- Observed animals for signs of distress or illness and reported any changes in behavior to supervisors.
- Prepared, delivered and fed appropriate diets as per established feeding practices and diet sheets.
- In conjunction with the Zoo’s pest control officer, assisted in pest control through the use of exclusion or traps.
- Maintained exhibit plantings to enhance aesthetics and provide a comfortable environment for animals; eliminated weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures.
- Responded quickly to emergency situations involving injured or distressed animals.
- Cleaned and sanitized equipment and surfaces to protect animal and staff health.
- Remained overnight to guarantee safety of animals and staff.
Carnivore Keeper
City of Lufkin, Ellen Trout Zoo
Lufkin, Texas
01.2018 - 03.2018
- Executed daily husbandry tasks for carnivores, giraffes, rhinos, primates, river otters, and various species.
- Collaborated with veterinary staff during health checks and medical treatments.
- Participated in habitat design initiatives to enhance animal environments.
- Monitored animals for signs of distress or illness; reported behavioral changes to supervisors.
- Responded promptly to emergencies involving injured or distressed animals.
- Developed and implemented behavioral enrichment activities to encourage species-specific behaviors.
- Educated visitors on animal behavior, conservation efforts, and safety guidelines.
- Maintained compliance with all regulations regarding humane treatment of zoo animals.
ANIMAL KEEPER
TGR Exotics
Spring, TX
03.2017 - 11.2017
- Executed comprehensive husbandry practices for various animals including hyena, binturong, echidna, caracal, lynx, snow leopard, black bears, Asian small-clawed otter, kinkajou, grey wolf, tamandua, aardvark, sloth, kangaroo, Indian and African Crested porcupine, and many species of bird and primate.
- Prepared customized diets, ensuring alignment with specific health objectives.
- Implemented treatment plans and preventive health programs prescribed by DVM.
- Developed and implemented training programs for gray wolf, sloth, caracal, Asian small-clawed otter, kinkajou, Black crow, Indian crested porcupine, red-kangaroo and a variety of primate and bird species.
- Developed and executed a daily enrichment program for animals housed in the "Sloth Building" ensuring all animals received enrichment daily.
- Planted and propagated a bamboo browse garden increasing the amount of natural enrichment animals could receive.
- Ensured clean and safe habitats for animals by rigorously following established protocols.
- Educated visitors about animal care practices and conservation efforts during tours and field trips.
RAINFOREST BIOLOGIST
Moody Gardens
Galveston, TX
05.2016 - 08.2016
- Managed husbandry tasks for mammals, including prehensile-tailed porcupine, sloth, pygmy slow loris, blue duiker, and various bat species, ensuring their health and well-being.
- Ensured compliance with USDA, AZA, and Aphis regulations while maintaining accurate daily records for each animal to support health management.
- Partnered with veterinary staff to monitor animal health, administering treatments to enhance recovery and overall care.
- Captured and restrained animals in accordance with protocols for veterinary, emergency, or husbandry procedures.
- Dispersed diets and fresh water; Administered medications/supplements and weighed animals.
- Implemented positive reinforcement techniques to train animals effectively.
- Elicited species-specific behaviors by creating and implementing behavioral enrichment activities.
- Managed volunteers assisting with zookeeper duties and provided instruction.
- Educated visitors about animal habitats, behaviors, and conservation efforts during tours.
- Gave public presentations to schools and community groups to promote interest in biological subjects.
INTERPRETIVE NATURALIST
Downtown Aquarium
Houston, TX
11.2013 - 01.2016
- Presented ambassador animals during educational programs, engaging audiences and fostering appreciation for wildlife.
- Delivered informative presentations on aquatic life and ecosystems, enriching guest knowledge and promoting conservation awareness.
- Conducted guided tours, improving visitor comprehension of marine conservation efforts and inspiring environmental stewardship.
- Conducted daily health checks on animals to monitor well-being and safety.
- Trained new employees, served as lead during overnight guest stay programs, and led conservation-based camps.
- Contributed to the Ocearch partnership by participating in their distance learning initiatives related to biological studies of sharks.
- Operated as a First Responder in emergency situations, coordinating with city emergency services and guests involved.
CARNIVORE, PRIMATE & NATURAL ENCOUNTER INTERN
Houston Zoo
Houston, TX
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Practiced all areas of husbandry for 15+ carnivore species, 20+ primate species, and many other various animals.
- Participated in cheetah walks, involving walking two ambassador cheetahs around zoo grounds.
- Facilitated SAVE OUR SPECIES events by creating interactive guest experiences that educated and inspired visitors.
- Delivered keeper chats over AV systems, emphasizing conservation topics to raise awareness among guests.
- Observed and assisted in positive reinforcement training sessions.
- Enhanced animal environments to promote natural behaviors.
ANIMAL KEEPER
Armand Bayou Nature Preserve
Pasadena, TX
07.2014 - 01.2015
- Executed comprehensive husbandry for all animals on property, ensuring optimal health and wellbeing.
- Delivered medication and supplements according to veterinarian instructions.
- Prepared and provided balanced diets tailored to the nutritional needs of each animal.
- Maintained water quality through filtration, chemical balance, and sanitation methods to support health of aquatic and semi-aquatic species.
- Established and cared for a feeder insect colony, ensuring a steady supply for animal diets.
- Participated in wild animal catchups, rehabilitation and reintroduction.
NUTRITIONIST TO GENERAL MANAGER
Fresh Factor
Pearland, TX
01.2012 - 10.2014
- Achieved a revenue growth of 300% during time as manager, while keeping overhead costs low.
- Managed team of 8, coordinating scheduling, payroll, quality control, and addressing guest/employee issues.
- Conducted staff meetings, oversaw hiring/terminations, resolved conflicts, and evaluated employee progression.
- Implemented daily storewide cleaning schedule, which improved the Dept. of Health grade.
- Maintained inventory and records to ensure compliance with Dept. of Health and USDA standards.
CARHOP TO ASSISTANT MANAGER
Sonic
Pearland, TX
03.2006 - 12.2011
- Managed team of 18, ensuring quality control, addressing guest concerns, and overseeing scheduling for a safe and efficient workplace.
- Trained new employees, retrained current staff, and led safety presentations to enhance workplace safety awareness.
- Processed daily reports and conducted monetary transactions exceeding $5,000, ensuring accurate financial tracking.
Education
Animal Behavior And Welfare - Life Sciences
Coursera Online - University of Edinburgh
Edinburg, PA12-2022
Chimpanzee Behavior & Conservation - Life Sciences
Coursera Online - Duke University
Durham, NC12-2022
Animal Psychology Certification - Life Sciences
Oplex Careers
London, United Kingdom12-2019
Animal Management Certification - Life Sciences
Oplex Careers
London, United Kingdom12-2016
Diploma -
Texas Preparatory Academy
Alvin, TX12-2006
Some College (No Degree) - Life Sciences
San Jacinto College
Houston, TXSkills
- Enrichment to elicit species appropriate behaviors
- Positive reinforcement training
- Emergency response
- Nutrition management
- Adaptability and a positive team member
- Program tracking through Zims and Tracks
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication
- Public speaking
- Conservation awareness
- Habitat maintenance
- Knowledge of AZA, USDA and Aphis protocols
- Effective multitasking
- Sanitation practices
- Training and mentoring
- Excellent guest service
Volunteer Experience
- CARNIVORE, PRIMATE & NATURAL ENCOUNTER INTERN, Houston Zoo, Houston, TX, 01/01/15 - 12/01/15. Practiced all areas of husbandry for 15+ carnivore species, 20+ primate species, and many other various animals. Participated in cheetah walks, involving walking two ambassador cheetahs around zoo grounds before opening. Contributed to SAVE OUR SPECIES events regularly through interactive guest experiences. Conducted keeper chats focusing on conservation-based topics. Observed and assisted in positive reinforcement training sessions. Applied the principles of behavioral and environmental enrichment.
- ANIMAL KEEPER, Armand Bayou Nature Preserve, Pasadena, TX, 07/01/14 - 01/01/15, Carried out all aspects of husbandry for all animals housed on property; including, but not limited to, bison, red-tailed hawks, venomous snakes and other various species. Prepared and fed out appropriate diets. Implemented, and maintained a feeder insect colony to ensure proper nutrition while reducing facility output. Participated in wild animal catch-ups, rehabilitation and reintroduction. Administered medication and supplements as prescribed by DVM. Maintained water quality for aquatic and semi-aquatic species.
Languages
English
Professional
Italian
Limited
Spanish
Limited
Timeline
Interpretive Naturalist\Educator
Downtown Aquarium
04.2025 - Current
Night Zookeeper
Tyler Zoo
07.2018 - 08.2018
Carnivore Keeper
City of Lufkin, Ellen Trout Zoo
01.2018 - 03.2018
ANIMAL KEEPER
TGR Exotics
03.2017 - 11.2017
RAINFOREST BIOLOGIST
Moody Gardens
05.2016 - 08.2016
CARNIVORE, PRIMATE & NATURAL ENCOUNTER INTERN
Houston Zoo
01.2015 - 12.2015
ANIMAL KEEPER
Armand Bayou Nature Preserve
07.2014 - 01.2015
INTERPRETIVE NATURALIST
Downtown Aquarium
11.2013 - 01.2016
NUTRITIONIST TO GENERAL MANAGER
Fresh Factor
01.2012 - 10.2014
CARHOP TO ASSISTANT MANAGER
Sonic
03.2006 - 12.2011
Animal Behavior And Welfare - Life Sciences
Coursera Online - University of Edinburgh
Chimpanzee Behavior & Conservation - Life Sciences
Coursera Online - Duke University
Animal Psychology Certification - Life Sciences
Oplex Careers
Animal Management Certification - Life Sciences
Oplex Careers
Diploma -
Texas Preparatory Academy
Some College (No Degree) - Life Sciences
San Jacinto College