Lyndsey Russell

I started working at the zoo the summer after I graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc. in zoology. I have always loved animals, and during my last year of school I took a herpetology (reptile) course and I knew right then that I had to work with reptiles! I grew up in Ottawa and knew about Little Ray’s so I sent in a resume and was thrilled when they offered me a job! I started my zoo career building a huge snake display that would head out on a tour of Western Canada. Luckily, I got to go with it! My first official training with the reptiles came in the form of a 25-foot long python (talk about sink or swim!); I got to lug her in and out of her enclosure so that people could touch her. I quickly found that there are way too many misconceptions about these amazing animals, but that through hands-on teaching it’s so much easier to educate people about both exotic and Canadian species. The thing I love most about my job is convincing someone to touch a snake or an alligator for the first time, and having them realize just how cool these animals really are! Of course, I also love handling the critters, especially the crocodilians. Since that trip out West I was given a position as one of the primary animal caretakers at the zoo. My day revolves around the animals, making sure they are happy and healthy, as well as taking them out to meet the guests! I hope you will come visit me and the rest of the staff here at Little Ray’s; we have so many creatures to introduce you to!