Josh Hestermann

Josh Hestermann is a zoologist, author, and the Curator at the Orange County Zoo in California. He and his wife, Bethanie Hestermann - a freelance writer and author - co-write engaging animal-science books for kids. Together, they’ve written Zoology for Kids, Marine Science for Kids, Search the Ocean: Find the Animals, Search the Zoo: Find the Animals, Ocean Animals for Kids, The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!, and The Magnificent Book of Creatures of the Abyss.

Josh has spent his career working with and studying animals in zoos and aquariums across the country. He previously served as Husbandry Manager at the California Science Center, Senior Mammalogist at the Aquarium of the Pacific, Senior Animal Care Specialist for marine mammals at Brookfield Zoo, and Keeper, Presenter, and Educator at the Phoenix Zoo. He has also led research trips to study California sea lions in Mexico and participated in the Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program in Florida.