Ann Southcombe

Ann began her career in 1970 as the second female keeper to be hired at the Cincinnati Zoo. Here, among many species she cared for, she was a mom to seven baby gorillas. This started her love for gorillas and due to her correspondence with Dian Fossey, who studied gorillas in the wild, she next became mom and teacher to Michael, the gorilla companion of the now famous gorilla, Koko. This lead to being a mom and teacher to an orangutan the the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for seven years.

She continued to work with animals in various settings such as, pink dolphins in South America, rescue ranch in California, a zoo in Florida and retired after working at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Oregon.

Ann Southcombe has always felt a special attachment to animals, surrounding herself with them since a child. Now se devotes her energy to inspiring others to connect with, understand, and respect all creatures with whom we share life on Earth.