Priscilla Reed Idunate

Priscilla is a senior zookeeper in the Natural Encounters building at the Houston Zoo. She works with a diverse collection of animals including birds, reptiles, primates, and small mammals by caring for them, training them, and providing enrichment. Her team makes sure the animals in the collection are cared for and provide dynamic enrichment items for them. The zoo’s guests also get to enjoy watching them problem solve or forage through their enrichment items. The Natural Encounters team also creates interactive keeper chats that help the public connect to wildlife and become inspired to find ways to conserve.

Priscilla’s dad grew up on a ranch near Monterrey, Mexico and loved animals. He sparked that passion in Priscilla and instilled her love for animals. Priscilla went to the University of Houston and got a Bachelor of Science in Biology. During college she volunteered at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She assisted in caring for some of the animals they would use in their classrooms during field trips.

Priscilla holds a special place in her heart for otters, but she loves working with all animals. She’s been at the Houston Zoo for over 15 years and feels very lucky to work for her hometown zoo.