Zookeeper Appreciation Week: A Labor of Love

Today's celebration of National Zookeeper Appreciation Week post highlights Wildwood Wildlife Park's Head Zookeeper Jennifer Domaszek. As our fans and friends know, Jennifer has a special place in her heart for Kya, our beautiful Striped Hyena. 

During last year's National Zookeeper Week Jennifer selected Kya as her favorite zoo resident. Just a few weeks ago we celebrated Kya's fourth birthday and this year's appreciation celebration holds special meaning: the bond of motherhood.

Last October we were pleased to announce the safe arrival of Kya's cubs born on August 29th. When it was time for our Head Zookeeper to choose a photograph to feature during this week, she quickly chose this image of Kya, "I wanted to use my pregnancy [for this year's National Zookeeper Week] and re-enacted Kya being stretched out while she was pregnant. She ended up having her babies 3 days after I took the photo!"

We are pleased to report that not too long after Jennifer's re-enactment, she and her family welcomed the safe arrival of twin daughters.

Happy Birthday Kya!

It's no secret that the qualifications of a zookeeper is more than just a love of animals. They spend their days being the eyes and ears of the entire zoo no matter what the weather. Constantly getting wet and dirty and being on duty during the weekends and holidays is just part of their day. Our zookeepers also are in constant contact with visitors to the zoo; answering any questions they might have and oftentimes working in the encounter areas of the park. And as you can probably imagine, over time, zookeepers develop a special relationship with one or more of the animals.

During our Zookeeper Appreciation week we highlighted our dedicated and trained zookeepers on our Facebook page and gave them the opportunity to share one of their favorite animals at the zoo. Head Zookeeper Jen Domaszek posed with her Wildwood favorite, Kya the Striped Hyena.

In celebration of Kya's fourth birthday on May 31st, we have selected her as the subject of today's blog post.

Kya is a Striped Hyena, which is one of the three hyena species. The other two are the Brown Hyena which are a near threatened species and the more commonly known Spotted Hyena.

Unlike the Spotted Hyena, that live in clans run by one dominant female, both the Brown and Striped Hyenas are solitary animals. 

Although hyenas physically resemble dogs they are actually more closely related to cats. Hyenas are well known scavengers, but will also hunt their own food. Striped Hyenas like Kya also eat fruit and other plant matter. 

Wish Kya a happy birthday and if you are lucky, you might catch her in the act of enjoying her favorite treat - peaches!

Double Trouble Excitement: Twin Striped Hyenas

Twins! We are excited to announce the arrival of twin Striped Hyena cubs. The brother and sister were born to first time Mom, Kya, on August 29, 2014. 

Did you know that hyena’s are not member of the dog or the cat family but rather, they are so unique that they have a family all their own: Hyaenidae. There are four members of this distinct family: the striped hyena, the “giggly” spotted hyena, the brown hyena and the aardwolf (which really isn't a wolf at all!)

These wonderful creatures are found in North and Northeast Africa, the Middle East and Asia and play a very important role: cleanup crew!

Striped hyenas are smaller than the spotted and brown hyenas and can live 10 to 12 years in the wild and up to 25 years in zoos. Hyenas have dark eyes; their muzzle, ears, and throat are entirely black but their coat may be golden yellow, brown or gray with black stripes on their body and legs. A mane of long hair grows along their back camouflaging them in the tall, dry grass that is found in the rocky brush and scrubland of their native habitat.

Despite their distinctive walk, which makes it appear as if they are limping uphill, hyenas are very agile and can run, trot and walk for long distances with very little effort.

Wildwood Zookeepers report that both cubs and mother are healthy and happy. Eventually the cubs will be placed at another ZAA accredited facility.