THE ZOO IN FOREST PARK & EDUCATION CENTER STAFF

Sarah Tsitso | Executive Director 
413-733-2251, ext. 924 | sarah@forestparkzoo.com

Sarah started at The Zoo in September of 2017.  She was born and raised in Western Massachusetts, living in Ludlow, Palmer and Springfield before moving to Longmeadow in 2013. Sarah attended Simmons University in Boston, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English and received her master’s degree from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, where she studied nonprofit management. She is currently enrolled in a second master's degree program at Bay Path, pursuing a master's of fine arts in creative nonfiction writing. 

Sarah has been married to Jason (her high school sweetheart) for 23 years. They have one daughter, Vivian, who is now in college. Sarah is an avid reader, and is never without a book somewhere in arm’s reach. When Sarah is not at The Zoo she enjoys spinning, traveling and learning something new every day.

Favorite Zoo Memory: "In general, I love watching our young campers come back each season. They truly love our animals, our staff and this place. They become part of the larger Zoo family. Watching these children learn, grow and cultivate their appreciation for nature fills me with hope and joy."

Sarah with Skyy, our Nigerian dwarf goat
Gabry with everyone's favorite free-range rooster, Cheese

Gabry Tyson | Assistant Executive Director
413-733-2251, ext. 925 | gabry@forestparkzoo.com

Gabry started at The Zoo in May of 2020. She is a Central Pennsylvania native who spent a stint of time living in Troy, NY before moving to Hartford where she currently resides. Gabry graduated from the University of Missouri in 2016 with degrees in Journalism, International Studies and Religious Studies. She enjoys exploring local hangouts, a good kickboxing workout, college football and chilling with her dog, Poodie (who just so happens to be The World’s Goodest Boy). 

Favorite Zoo Animal: "My favorite animal at The Zoo is Cheese, the free-range rooster! He has a larger-than-life personality and needs to know what's going on at all times. I find him relatable." 

Emily G. Bouwer | Director of Animal Care
413-733-2251, ext. 922 | emily@forestparkzoo.com

Emily started at The Zoo as a high school intern in 2007. She was hired as a keeper in early 2008, and worked seasonally for a while, before becoming full time staff in 2010. Emily has lived in Granville, MA her entire life and loves it! Growing up in the woods lead to many wildlife encounters which sparked her interest in the animal world and rehabiliation work. In 2013, she became licensed as a wildlife rehabilitator, a practice she maintains on a small-scale outside of The Zoo.

At home, Emily and her husband, Dylan, have amenagerie of their own. Current residents include two cats, Whisper and Fenster, an Amazon parrot named Timmy, and Magic, their tenacious house-pig. They also have some squirrels getting ready to be released, and a long-term pet-sitting situation with a friend's dog. So, there’s never a dull (or quiet) moment in their house!

If I Could Be Any Animal: “It’s really hard to pick! But I would probably be a bird. Probably a raven or crow. They’re very family oriented birds, and pretty versatile in their diet/habitat, so I woudn’t need to hunt other animals…junk food is still on the table, and I could live anywhere. AND I would be able to fly. Sounds pretty good to me.”

Emily with our dromedary camel, Max
Caroline with Atlas the coyote (2021)

Caroline Cay Adams | Director of Education
413-733-2251, ext. 923 | education@forestparkzoo.com

Caroline joined The Zoo team in May 2018 and brings over a decade of environmental and animal education experience to her role as Director of Education. Caroline earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2014 and continued her education at The University of Hartford, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Education in 2017. She spends her free time at home crafting and snuggling with her three cats, Granger, Alastor, and Emilia or playing with her dogs, Steele and Riggins.

When she is not hosting education programs at The Zoo, you can find Caroline spending time with some of her favorite residents throughout The Zoo, including Atlas the coyote and the Virginia opossums.

Fun Fact About Me:  My favorite movie of all time is the Disney movie Tarzan."

Camille Forbes | Development Associate

(Head of Community and Guest Relations, Gift Shop Manager)

camille@forestparkzoo.com

Camille joined the team in April of 2023, but has been involved at The Zoo through Zoo Camp, the KIT program, and education for over a decade. She has lived in Western Massachusetts for her entire life. She graduated summa cum laude from The University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2022 with a BS in Animal Science and a minor in Spanish. In her free time, she loves singing, playing board games with friends, going to trivia or bingo nights, and cuddling with her cat, Tucker.

 

Favorite Zoo Animal: My favorite animal is Gertie the red-footed tortoise. She is great on programs because of her friendly personality, and I’ve known her since she was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.

Camille with Gertie, a red-footed tortoise
Mary Lou with Ellis

Mary Lou Rice | Bookkeeper 
413-733-2251, ext. 926 | accounting@forestparkzoo.com

Mary Lou began working at The Zoo in July of 2018. She was born in Springfield, in the Hungry Hill neighborhood. After marrying, Mary Lou lived in Chicopee for about 10 years, then moved to Ludlow around 2000. Her husband was a Chicopee firefighter and an avid collector of antique cars, so she found herself traveling often to car shows and swap meets. Mary Lou found a passion for traveling and has been to the Caribbean, Mexico, England, Ireland, Scotland, and even Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Mary Lou stays busy outside The Zoo, working part-time at Jewish Family Service and volunteering at Dakin in Springfield as a dog walker. She has been a dog owner most of her life but recently tried fostering cats. Now she lives at home with her “foster fail” newly adopted cat. 

If I Could Be Any Animal: "Lemur. Females are in charge and it looks like it only takes one or two screams to keep the boys in line, then I can spend the day sitting back eating grapes!"

Rachel LeMontagne | Zookeeper

Rachel started at The Zoo in 2014. Before coming to The Zoo she studied Captive Wildlife Care & Education at Unity College in Maine. Rachel has extensive experience with all types of wildlife: studying marine life in Long Island Sound, studying populations of Northern Right Whales in the Bay of Fundy and assisting with trail maintenance in Oregon.  

Rachel gets her love for nature and wildlife from her parents. At home they live with their "mini zoo," which includes Duncan the dog, Wesley the cat, Pippin the rabbit, Bebe and Bangarang the birds, and Garrus the snake. When Rachel is not preparing diets for our animals here at The Zoo, she is doing it at home for her own animals! In her spare time she enjoys building lego sets, playing video games and annoying her parents with Star Wars facts. 

Fun Fact About Me: "I swam in Crater Lake which is considered an active volcano."

Rachel with Poncho, our blue and gold macaw
Eric with our six-banded armadillo, Ally

Eric Schroder | Facilities 

Eric started at The Zoo as an intern in 2017 while he finished his Bachelor of Science in Biology. Before completing his schooling, Eric served in the Army.  He always enjoyed his time outside, exploring the surrounding areas for new plants and animals. Eric grew up in CT and has fond memories of visiting Forest Park as a child.

Eric balances his time at The Zoo between updating our facilities, assisting in animal care and leading many of our educational programs. Eric really is a jack of all trades!  

Favorite Part About Working at The Zoo: “I enjoy the ability to be creative when I build enclosures and enrichments for the animals.”

Dr. Alastor Moody | PhD in Integrated Pest Management

Professor Moody joined The Zoo's team in June of 2018, when he took over as Director of Pest Management. He was raised in Granville, MA and developed an appreciation for wildlife health at a young age. He is passionate about his role at The Zoo and advocates an environmentally friendly approach to pest control.

When he is not busy working, Moody enjoys bird watching, trying exotic foods and staying on top of fashion trends. He is also a hobby entomologist and a competitive Hide-and-Seek player.

Favorite Zoo Human: My favorite Zoo human is Shawn, because he gives me endless treats and always tells me I'm a good boy.

Moody showing off his hide-and-seek skills
A Siamese cat sits on top of papers in an office.
Ellis Bell, pest management and office cat

Ms. Ellis Bell | Apprentice in Integrated Pest Management and Director of Outbound Mail

Ellis joined Moody's Integrated Pest Management team in Fall of 2020, where she is an apprentice to Dr. Moody himself. While she claims she takes her apprenticeship seriously, she can often be found sun bathing in a window, eating all the snacks and walking across keyboards at the most inconvenient times. In December 2021, she accepted a new position at The Zoo as Director of Outbound Mail. She oversees all outgoing mail and marketing, but refuses to assist in the stuffing of envelopes. 

Favorite Part About Working at The Zoo: My favorite part about working at The Zoo is training the humans. So far, I have successfully conditioned most, if not all, of them to give me more treats when I do something cute.  

Mr. Timothy "Timmy" Bouwer, Office Manager

Timmy joined the Zoo Crew's office team in 2020 and was promoted from Office Parrot to Office Manager in March of 2022. As the Office Manager his daily responsibilities include answering the phones with an inquisitive "HELLO??", cataloguing - and then destroying - inventory, trash collection and removal, invoicing anyone and everyone for the mysterious amount of $25, tending to the office plants, and laughing at all the right moments. In addition to his day job, Timmy is a world-renowed singer and is known for keeping spirits high with his beautiful renditions of songs. 

Favorite Zoo Human: My favorite Zoo human is my *new* girlfriend, Camille, because she lets me eat her hair, climb on her shoulder like its a jungle gym and plays my favorite song, Wild Horses in the style of Susan Boyle. 

A green parrot stands on a shelf next to a potted plant the same size as him.
Timmy tending to the office plants
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starting March 30th and 31st.
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