Ridge
(he/him) • Perth, Western Australia
Ridge, an adventurous and charismatic wildlife guide, is our ZooBuddy Team Lead. He is well-versed on wildlife of all types and has traveled the globe to experience their habitats firsthand. His love for the wild outback and temperate rainforests started from his childhood explorations in the Australian bush. He especially likes reptiles and amphibians. Ridge’s energetic personality and deep knowledge make him an engaging guide who brings the diverse landscapes of the world to life. When he’s not working, Ridge enjoys rock climbing and surfing, always seeking the next thrill in nature.
Area of Expertise: World Habitats & Australian Outback
Special Interest: Amphibians & Reptiles
Favorite Animal: Quokka
Quest
(he/him) • Nairobi, Kenya
Quest is a wildlife guide with a deep love for the savannas, grasslands, and woodlands of Africa. His passion for large predators was ignited in college when he had the opportunity to be part of a video production crew for a wildlife documentary. He fell in love with the power and grace of lions and other big cats, and he is now our resident expert on African animals of all sizes. Quest’s engaging personality and profound knowledge of the natural world make his tours both inspiring and informative. When he’s not guiding tours, Quest enjoys writing about wildlife conservation and mentoring aspiring young naturalists, sharing his insights and experiences to foster a new generation of wildlife enthusiasts.
Area of Expertise: African Savanna
Special Interest: Large Carnivores
Favorite Animal: Lion
Summit
(she/her) • Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Summit is an enthusiastic wildlife guide with a deep fascination for the diverse wildlife of the Asian Pacific rim. Her love for large cats began with a childhood visit to a tiger reserve in her home country of India, inspiring her lifelong passion for wildlife conservation. Summit’s energetic personality and extensive knowledge make her tours through the rich ecosystems of the Asian Pacific region captivating and educational. In her spare time, Summit enjoys volunteering at her daughter’s school and participating in wildlife photography expeditions to capture the beauty of her favorite animals.
Area of Expertise: Asian Pacific Rim
Special Interest: Birds of Prey
Favorite Animal: Bengal Tiger
Zinnia
(she/her) • Asheville, North Carolina, United States
Zinnia is a lively and engaging wildlife guide who grew up wandering the picturesque gardens and meadows of the American countryside. Her love for hoofstock was born during family road trips where she watched eagerly from the backseat, spotting deer, antelope, elk, and even a moose! Zinnia’s passion for animals shines through in her vibrant storytelling, making each tour a delightful experience. Outside of her work, Zinnia enjoys painting landscapes and tending to her hydroponic garden, where she cultivates a variety of exotic plants.
Area of Expertise: Countryside
Special Interest: Hoofstock
Favorite Animal: Przewalski’s Horse
Trek
(he/him) • Estes Park, Colorado, United States
Trek is a relaxed and enthusiastic wildlife guide whose love for the Rocky Mountains began during summer hikes in the nearby mountains. His soft spot for reptiles started with finding a garter snake in the backyard as a boy, sparking a lifelong fascination. Admittedly a bit of a hippie, Trek’s easygoing demeanor and passion for the outdoors make him a captivating guide, bringing the beauty of the Rockies to life. When he’s not guiding tours, Trek enjoys hiking, camping, and playing acoustic guitar around the campfire.
Area of Expertise: Rocky Mountains
Special Interest: Snakes
Favorite Animal: Mountain Goat
Cielo
(she/her) • San José, Costa Rica
Cielo is a vibrant wildlife guide with a deep passion for the colorful landscapes of Central and South America. Her fascination with birds and butterflies began in her grandmother’s flower-filled garden, where she spent countless hours observing the vibrant creatures. Cielo’s warm personality and extensive knowledge make her tours through tropical habitats captivating and magical. She and her husband have a large family that enjoys getting together for delicious meals and special occasions. In her spare time, Cielo enjoys painting the vivid wildlife she encounters and participating in community garden projects to promote biodiversity.
Area of Expertise: Tropical Rainforests
Special Interest: Butterflies
Favorite Animals: Jaguar & Capybara
River
(they/them) • San Francisco, California, USA
River is an adaptable and insightful wildlife guide with a deep interest in water environments. Their dynamic personality and profound knowledge make their tours through aquatic habitats both informative and engaging. In addition to water environments, they also have a soft spot for primates of all kinds, a fascination that began after a memorable visit to a primate research center. In their free time, River enjoys kayaking and volunteering at wildlife rehabilitation centers, where they help care for injured animals.
Area of Expertise: Aquatic Habitats
Special Interest: Primates
Favorite Animals: Arapaima & Bonobo
Coral
(she/her) • Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Coral is a vibrant and knowledgeable wildlife guide whose love for coral reefs and marine biology began during childhood snorkeling trips while on vacation. Her passion for coastal ecosystems was sparked by exploring tide pools and discovering the fascinating creatures within them. She is also fascinated by seabirds of all kinds. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia and now working near the Great Barrier Reef, Coral’s energetic personality and deep knowledge of marine life make her tours exciting and educational. In her free time, Coral enjoys scuba diving and participating in beach clean-up initiatives to protect marine habitats.
Area of Expertise: Marine Biomes
Special Interest: Seabirds
Favorite Animal: Puffin
Lark
(she/her) • Window Rock, Arizona, USA
Lark is a serene and thoughtful wildlife guide with a profound connection to the US plains, American southwest landscapes, and chaparral regions. Her passion for birds of prey was ignited by cultural stories of eagles told to her as a child by elders in her clan. Lark’s calm demeanor and deep understanding of the natural world make her tours both enlightening and inspiring. In her free time, she enjoys practicing traditional crafts, such as weaving and pottery, and sharing stories about the cultural significance of wildlife in her community.
Area of Expertise: US Southwest & Plains
Special Interest: Frogs
Favorite Animal: Black Bear
Kai
(he/him) • Hanoi, Vietnam
Kai is a bright and curious wildlife guide with a deep fascination for peaceful water gardens and lotus ponds. His interest in small mammals and rodents began with a school project that sparked a lifelong passion for these often-overlooked creatures. Kai’s youthful enthusiasm and extensive knowledge make his tours engaging and educational, especially for young visitors. In his free time, Kai enjoys building model ecosystems and participating in wildlife photography, capturing the beauty of the animals he loves.
Area of Expertise: Ponds & Water Gardens
Special Interest: Small Mammals & Rodents
Favorite Animal: Small-Clawed Otter
Ember
(she/her) • Chiang Mai, Thailand
Ember is a passionate wildlife guide dedicated to exploring and protecting the diverse habitats of Asia. Her fascination with endangered species began during her studies in wildlife conservation, where she saw the urgent need for action. Ember’s commitment to preserving endangered animals is fueled by her personal experiences working on conservation projects. Her engaging tours provide deep insights into the wildlife of Asia. Outside of her work, Ember enjoys spending time with her wife and advocating for conservation through community outreach and education programs.
Area of Expertise: Diverse Asian Habitats
Special Interest: Endangered Animals
Favorite Animal: Red Panda
Bosque
(he/him) • San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
Bosque is a dedicated wildlife guide with a deep connection to the diverse landscapes of Central America. His love for nocturnal animals began during nighttime hikes in the highlands, where he encountered various fascinating creatures. Bosque’s extensive knowledge and passion for Central American deserts, grasslands, mountains, highlands, and dry forests make his tours both informative and captivating. In his spare time, Bosque enjoys camping and sharing stories about the rich biodiversity of his homeland.
Area of Expertise: Central America
Special Interest: Noctural Animals
Favorite Animal: Tapir
Frost
(he/him) • Reykjavik, Iceland
Frost is a seasoned wildlife guide with a deep passion for the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic. His fascination with these cold, remote areas began during his early years of exploring the icy landscapes of northern Europe. Frost has extensive experience exploring the tundra and taiga, in addition to the polar regions. Over the years, he has developed extensive knowledge of polar bears, seals, and other marine mammals that inhabit these extreme environments. His calm and authoritative demeanor makes his tours both educational and awe-inspiring. In his spare time, Frost enjoys ice fishing and documenting the changing landscapes of the polar regions through his photography.
Area of Expertise: Arctic, Tundra, & Taiga
Special Interest: Marine Mammals
Favorite Animal: Beluga
Zephyr
(he/him) • Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Zephyr is a calm and soothing wildlife guide with a deep fascination for the desert landscapes of the Middle East and beyond. His interest in insects and arachnids began during family camping trips in the desert, where he spent hours observing the diverse and resilient creatures that thrive in arid environments. Zephyr’s tranquil personality and extensive knowledge make his tours through desert habitats both captivating and informative. In his free time, Zephyr enjoys stargazing and practicing meditation, finding peace and inspiration in the vast, open landscapes of the desert.
Area of Expertise: Middle Eastern Deserts
Special Interest: Insects & Arachnids
Favorite Animal: Fennec Fox
Cedar
(she/her) • Geneva, Switzerland
Cedar is an experienced wildlife guide with a deep love for European animals and boreal forests. Her fascination with wildlife began during family hikes in the Alps, where she encountered diverse species in their natural habitats. In addition, even though they aren’t native to her homeland, Cedar has a special passion for pachyderms, especially rhinos and hippos. The diminishing number of pachyderms in the wild further fuels her dedication to animal conservation. Her rich experience and enthusiasm for the natural world make her an engaging guide. In her free time, Cedar enjoys birdwatching, leading educational workshops on wildlife conservation, and spending time with her two adult children.
Area of Expertise: Alpine Forests & Mountains
Special Interest: Pachyderms
Favorite Animal: River Hippopotamus
Marsh
(he/him) • Miami, Florida, USA
Marsh is an energetic and knowledgeable wildlife guide with a deep fascination for wetlands and swamps. His passion for these unique ecosystems began during childhood fishing trips in the Louisiana bayous, where he developed a keen interest in amphibians and freshwater fish. Now, based near the Everglades, Marsh’s extensive knowledge and engaging personality make his tours through wetland habitats both informative and entertaining. In his spare time, Marsh enjoys playing the harmonica and participating in conservation efforts to protect these vital ecosystems.
Area of Expertise: Wetlands & Swamps
Special Interest: Invertebrates
Favorite Animal: Manatee
