Last issue we took a trip to Taronga Zoo Sydney’s AMAZING Roar & Snore. Now it’s time to chat to the zoo keepers for a deep-dive into life at Australia’s favourite zoo!
Meet Maxine!
NAME: Maxine Rossi
JOB: Free Flight Birds Trainer
TIME AT TARONGA: 5 years
Maxine’s dream of working with animals started when she volunteered as a Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) while still in high school. She worked at a doggy daycare, studied animal care, volunteered with Taronga’s bird team and eventually landed her dream job working with incredible free-flying birds.
What’s your favourite bird?
Maxine: The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo! They’re stunning birds and they’re nature’s gardeners, spreading seeds that help forests grow.
What’s your biggest career highlight?
Maxine: Volunteering in Africa as a veterinary nurse. I helped care for cheetahs, wild dogs and rescued marine turtles before they were released back into the wild.
What’s a typical day at work?
Maxine: Training birds, preparing food, caring for animals and presenting the amazing Free Flight Birds show.
What’s a must-see at Taronga?
Maxine: Definitely the Free Flight Birds presentation, presented daily at 12pm and 3pm (weather permitting)! Watching birds soar over Sydney Harbour is seriously awesome.
What’s your advice for kids who want your job?
Maxine: Grab every opportunity you can. Volunteer, learn new skills and don’t give up if things don’t happen straight away.
FUN FACT: Maxine is also a veterinary nurse, helping animals both inside and outside the zoo!
Meet Jose!
NAME: Jose Altuna
JOB: Senior Marine Mammal Keeper
TIME AT TARONGA: 25 years
Jose has loved animals his whole life. As a kid, his home felt like a mini zoo, packed with animals to care for! He started volunteering at a wildlife park, turned his passion into a full-time job, and eventually joined Taronga’s bird team. These days, he’s a marine mammal keeper working with seals and penguins.
What’s your favourite animal?
Jose: Australian Sea Lions! They’re playful, curious and super cheeky.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve done as a keeper?
Jose: Rescuing a Wedge-tailed Eagle from the ocean. It was an unforgettable experience helping such an amazing Aussie bird.
What does your day look like?
Jose: Lots of fish preparation, pool cleaning and caring for the animals. My alarm clock goes off before most people are even awake!
What should kids see at Taronga?
Jose: The Seals for the Wild presentation, presented daily at 11am and 2pm. You’ll see sea lions and seals showing off their incredible skills while learning how to protect our oceans.
Any advice for future zookeepers?
Jose: Never stop learning and never give up on your dream. Passion and hard work can take you anywhere!
FUN FACT: Sea lions love toys, but they can destroy them in seconds!
