LITTLE ROCK (August 11, 2008) – The Little Rock Zoo is proud to announce that Joe Darcangelo has been hired as the new curator of hoof stock.

As the Zoo’s new hoof stock curator, Darcangelo will manage the care of the zoo’s elephants, rhinos, giraffes, kudu, black buck, and other hoofed animals, as well as the birds in the lorikeet aviary and in other zoo exhibits.

Darcangelo comes to the Zoo with twelve years experience in the profession having worked at other Zoos accredited with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums such as the Miami Metro Zoo, Chehaw Wild Animal Park in Georgia, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Darcangelo is committed to leadership excellence in the field of animal care and strives to teach families and community members the importance of zoos to wildlife conservation.

Darcangelo’s department will be responsible for introducing animals to the new African Veldt exhibit and for continuing the success of the Zoo’s elephant, rhino, and giraffe programs. Darcangelo says he hopes to acquire new and exciting animals for the Zoo such as the African Red River Hog and the Saddle Billed Stork.

Darcangelo replaces Bill Baker who recently left the Zoo to become the director of the Abilene Zoo in Texas.

Darcangelo holds a degree in Zoo Animal Technology from the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo and a B.A. in Environmental Writing from Unity College in Unity, Maine.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit www.aza.org.

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