Zookeepers 

Andrea Cole, Zoo Curator

What drew you to this career? I’ve always loved being around animals as a kid, and I knew I wanted to work in a career with animals. In my junior year of high school, I started volunteering at this zoo and found how passionate I am about critters and the joy of educating kids about how amazing animals are.

What is your favorite animal? Any critter in the Procyonidae family. Raccoon and coatimundi are among my favorite in this family.

Who is your favorite animal at Spring River Zoo? Harley the raccoon, he was one of the first critters I hand-raised when I started at the zoo. Since then raccoons have been my favorite critter.

How did you get to Roswell? I’m from Roswell. I’ve lived here my entire life.

What else should we know? I have two dogs named Copper and Pixie and one cat named Toro. I enjoy reading, outdoor adventures and hanging out with my friends.

Favorite quote: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. Every individual matters.” – Jane Goodall

Lyz Foster, Zookeeper

What drew you to this career? Caring for animals is my forte. It's what I do best, and it's what I'm suited for.

What is your favorite animal? Pigs are my favorite; all shapes and sizes. They're very misunderstood, but I get them.

What is your favorite animal at Spring River Zoo? Honestly, I love them all. I can't pick just one because I think they're all special.

How did you get to Roswell? I moved here to help my mom and found an amazing job in the process.

Is there anything else we should know? I have always been a caregiver. Later in life, I just switched from caring for humans to caring for animals.

Favorite quote: "Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length.” – Robert Frost

Ayrin Meeks, Zookeeper

What drew you to this career? When I was 5 years old, I was watching Animal Planet and a tiger came on the screen and I knew then that’s what I wanted to do. I want to help save endangered animals, teach others about animals, and increase my knowledge and experience of working with exotic animals.

What is your favorite animal? Bret, our mountain lion. He is the first big cat species that I’ve worked with. I’ve worked with Bret for two years and it still excites me to work with him. Q, our Chihuahuan raven. Sadly she passed away this summer, but she was my best friend. I loved working with her because she was funny, curious, intelligent and loved to be around people.

How did you get to Roswell? I was born and raised in Roswell. I grew up coming to this zoo.

What else should we know? I have a degree in zoology from Western New Mexico University. I enjoy reading, going to Disneyland and going to concerts. I have my own mini zoo at home consisting of two dogs, three cats, a hedgehog, a guinea pig, two rats and two mice. Loving and caring for animals is a lifestyle.

Favorite quote: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France

Cori Villers, Zookeeper

What brought you to the zoo? I’ve been working with animals ever since I was young. What brought me to this specific zoo was they took a chance on me, and it’s a little challenging to find a zoo career. I interned at a previous zoo, fell in love with the zoo world and here I am.

What is your favorite animal? My favorite animals of all time would probably be giraffes or sea otters.

What’s your favorite animal at Spring River Zoo? If I had to choose one animal at this zoo, it would probably be the ring-tailed lemurs. I love how resourceful they are. I love watching them do their thing, whether that’s climbing around or making their barking noise.

Favorite quote: “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, ‘I’m possible.’” – Audrey Hepburn.

Amy Youngren, Zookeeper

What drew you to this career? I was drawn to zookeeping because I love the fun and challenge of working with animals.

What is your favorite animal? My all-time favorite animal is the orangutan.

Who is your favorite animal at Spring River Zoo? I don’t have a favorite at the zoo, I love them all! That being said, I really enjoy working with our pot-bellied pig Kevin because he is so full of joy, and he is very intelligent and eager to learn.

How did you get to Roswell? I moved from Washington state.

What else should we know? I have a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Washington State University. I enjoy kayaking and hiking with my canine son Dax. I also love to travel with Dax and explore new places in nature; we have been to every state in the U.S. and most Canadian provinces.