Lily Votta
Haddonfield
Summary
Zookeeper and animal caregiver with a diverse background in animal care including rehabilitation, education, observation, training, husbandry, encounters, handling and presenting.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Interactive Zookeeper
Elmwood Park Zoo
Norristown, PA
05.2026 - Current
- Educated and guided guests through an interactive walkthrough exhibit featuring two-toed sloths, brazilin teal tailed ducks, black bellied whistling ducks, scarlet Ibis, blue macaw, red footed tortoise, and green iguana
- Led giraffe feeds and encounters, answering guests' questions to expand their knowledge on both the species as a whole and the individuals at the zoo.
- Assisted in daily care, feeding, training, and enrichment of diverse animal species.
Zoo: Animal Behavior Intern
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Dayton
09.2025 - 11.2025
- Completed an 80 hour observational ethogram study on the zoo’s agoutis to analyze their well-being
- Participated in training and enrichment for the agoutis, hornbills, toucan, porcupine, rabbit, and armadillo
- Handled and presented ambassador animals, such as snakes and lizards, to the public, upholding all AZA standards
Summer Camp Counselor
Cape May County Park & Zoo
Cape May, NJ
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Guided children ages 5-14 through the zoo and presented on a wide variety of zoo species
- Presented and handled ambassador animals daily, including: birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians
- Assisted in animal training, enrichment, husbandry, and educational programming around the zoo
- Upheld all AZA standards and focused on animal well-fare and conservation messaging
Wildlife Care Intern
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
Medford, NJ
01.2023 - 2023
- Handled and cared for a variety of native NJ wildlife. Included daily cleaning, feeding (gavage/tube feeding, as well as bottle feeding for infants), and enrichment for all ages and species types.
- Performed several physical examinations and administered vaccinations
- Administered medications to all of the species in care through various routes including oral, subcutaneous, intramuscularly, and topically.
- Learned the natural history of the native NJ wildlife species to assist in answering questions from the public both in person and over the phone
Energy & Utilities Environmental Asstistant
Old River Park Flyer Farm
Dayton, OH
05.2023 - 05.2026
- Collected and processed compost from all campus dining facilities
- Cared daily for chickens and chicks by cleaning the coop, feeding their diet, and enriching them outside
- Operated heavy machinery such as a tractor, John Deere Gator, and an EPA regulated Class II compost in-vessel
- Maintained the garden through planting, pruning, watering, harvesting, and distributing the crops
- Conducted general groundskeeping through shoveling, raking, digging, tilling, washing, cleaning, constructing garden features, and small repairs
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH05.2026
Skills
- Padi SCUBA certified
- First Aid/CPR certified
- ZIMS animal data entry
- Heavy Lifting
- Animal husbandry, observation, training, and enrichment
- Public speaking and engagement
Certification
- Return the Favor: Trip Leader in horseshoe crab rescue missions.
- First Aid/CPR Certified.
- ZIMS: Data entry of zoo animals.
- PADI: Scuba Diving Certification.
Timeline
Interactive Zookeeper
Elmwood Park Zoo
05.2026 - Current
Zoo: Animal Behavior Intern
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
09.2025 - 11.2025
Summer Camp Counselor
Cape May County Park & Zoo
01.2024 - 01.2025
Energy & Utilities Environmental Asstistant
Old River Park Flyer Farm
05.2023 - 05.2026
Wildlife Care Intern
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
01.2023 - 2023
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology
University of Dayton