My name is Marissa Krouse. I am an identical twin who grew up and went to college in Ohio. I have ventured to warmer climates and now work at the North Carolina Zoo where I work with polar bears, California sea lions, harbor seals, and Arctic foxes. When I am not at the zoo, I’m usually hanging out with my husband and our two dogs. We often spend time seeing local bands, traveling, and hiking with the dogs.
I am passionate about conservation and make a constant effort to incorporate sustainability in my professional and personal life. I am honored to be a part of this opportunity and I plan to commit myself to these conservation initiatives.
I hope to network with colleagues and expand my knowledge of polar bears and the effects of global climate change. This experience will give me the tools needed to communicate effectively with the public as well the tools needed to improve the management of our captive population of polar bears.
I plan to combine the skills acquired at this leadership camp with my passion for the issues surrounding the decline of this species to implement valuable interpretive programs. As a result of this camp, I hope that five years from now, more keepers will have the opportunity to get personally involved with conservation and education programs. Keepers will relate to the public on a more personal level by visiting schools and communities. I hope to instill a sense of awareness for wildlife and wild places in general so that five years from now, society is adapting its behavior to lessen its ecological footprint and ensure the survival of the polar bear species.
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