Little Rock, Arkansas – The Little Rock Zoo has named Hannah Baker as its new General Curator, promoting a longtime member of the zoo staff whose career has included work with a wide variety of animals, leadership roles and conservation programs.
Baker joined the Little Rock Zoo in 2011 and has spent more than a decade building her career there. She began as an intern and went on to work as a keeper, lead keeper and curator before taking on her new position.
Her experience covers several specialized areas of animal care, including Ambassador Animals, penguins and reptiles. That range has given Baker experience not only in caring for animals but also in helping the public understand and connect with wildlife.
Zoo Director Susan Altrui said Baker’s long history with the organization has prepared her well for the new responsibility.
“Hannah’s career at the Little Rock Zoo is a testament to what can happen when expertise, curiosity and a genuine passion for animals come together,” said Susan Altrui, Zoo Director. “She understands our animals, our staff and our mission to inspire people to value and conserve our natural world from the ground up, and she brings an incredible depth of knowledge and enthusiasm to this new role.”
Baker’s education and professional training also extend beyond her daily work at the zoo. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2012 and later completed a master’s degree in Environmental Education in 2019.
She remains active in the broader zoological and conservation community. Baker currently serves as Secretary of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Raptor Taxonomic Advisory Group, known as Raptor TAG. She is also involved with the African Vulture SAFE program, which stands for Saving Animals From Extinction, and serves as a general member of the Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group.
Her professional certifications include Certified Professional Bird Trainer, Certified Rescue Diver and certified AZA Accreditation Inspector. She also serves as the Little Rock Zoo’s Dive Safety Officer.
One of Baker’s most recent projects brought a major new species to the zoo. She played a key role in bringing Komodo dragons to the Little Rock Zoo and to Arkansas for the first time.
The arrival of the Komodo dragons required extensive preparation, specialized knowledge and cooperation among those involved in the project. For the zoo, it also represented a significant addition to its animal collection. For Baker, the project reflected the kind of detailed and collaborative work she will continue in her new role.
As General Curator, Baker will help oversee the zoo’s animal-care and curatorial programs. Her responsibilities will include supporting high standards in animal welfare, conservation and education while helping maintain professional standards across the zoo’s animal-care operations.
Baker said taking the position is especially meaningful because of her long relationship with the organization.
“I’m incredibly honored to step into the role of General Curator at a place that has been such an important part of my life and career,” said Baker. “I’ve had the opportunity to grow here in so many different capacities, and I’m excited to continue working alongside an exceptional team to care for our animals, advance conservation and inspire our community to make a difference for wildlife.”
For Baker, that connection between animals and people is central to her work. She is passionate about sharing her interest in wildlife with zoo visitors and coworkers and encouraging people to see conservation as something that can begin with a simple sense of curiosity.
That approach is part of what makes public education an important part of her work. By helping people become interested in an animal, Baker hopes to create a starting point for learning more about wildlife and the challenges facing species around the world.
Her interest in animals also extends well beyond the zoo. Away from work, Baker spends much of her free time with her three Border Collies. She trains and competes with the dogs in several activities, including agility, disc, flyball and dock diving.
Baker is a member of the Little Rock Dog Training Club and works as a dog agility instructor. She also serves on the board of the Central Arkansas Disc Dog Organization.
The combination of her professional work with zoo animals and her involvement in dog training reflects a long-running interest in animal behavior, training and care.
Baker’s promotion also marks another step in a career that has developed almost entirely within the Little Rock Zoo. Starting as an intern and moving through several animal-care positions, she has gained experience from different levels of the organization.
Now, as General Curator, she will have a broader role in guiding the zoo’s animal-care efforts and supporting its mission.
Her background in zoology, education, conservation and animal training gives her experience across many parts of the zoo’s work. At the same time, her years at the Little Rock Zoo give her a familiar understanding of its animals, employees and goals.
The zoo said Baker brings a combination of knowledge, leadership and enthusiasm to the position, along with a career-long commitment to connecting people with wildlife and encouraging conservation.
With her new role, Baker will continue that work on a larger scale, helping shape the care of the zoo’s animals while also supporting efforts to educate visitors and strengthen the connection between the community and the natural world.
