It's A Zoo In There

While completing an internship at the Philadelphia Zoo during the summers of 2005 and 2006 through Penn State’s College of Ag Sciences, Penn State alumnus Jim Lotz discovered his true passion in life: helping animals. 
 
Lotz, who majored in Animal Sciences, recalls that as a child in Cresson, Pa., he enjoyed playing with his pets and any bugs he could find. “My mom still jokes with me about playing soccer when I was in the first grade,” he says. “I would sit in the grass and play with bugs, instead of actually playing soccer.” 
 
His first experience working in animal care was during high school when he volunteered at a local animal shelter. “That is when I started seriously considering animal care as a career, particularly as a zookeeper.”
 
During his summer stints at the Philadelphia Zoo as an animal-care intern, Lotz had the responsibility of cleaning, feeding, medicating, handling and training the animals. He also participated in various educational activities for guests to see the animals up close and personal. 
 
“I love training animals,” he says. “Watching an animal respond positively is very rewarding. The main thing I took with me after the internships was a confirmation that this was, in fact, what I wanted to do as my career. I also gained a ton of experience.”
 
Lotz is now a Penn State alumnus and full-time keeper at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. He wants to continue his work, and he hopes one day to get the opportunity to be a keeper at the Philadelphia Zoo. “I am seriously considering going to graduate school to get my master’s degree in animal science or animal behavior,” he says. “Penn State is at the top of my list.”