Keith Lovett - Director of Living Collections
Mr. Lovett joined the Palm Beach Zoo as the Assistant Animal Curator in 1998 after spending five years at York's Wild Kingdom in York Beach, Maine. He was promoted to General Curator in 1999 and Director of Living Collections in 2004. Under Mr. Lovett's direction, the Zoo's animal collection grew from 400 animals to more than 1,500 animals representing almost 300 species. In addition, Mr. Lovett oversaw the Zoo's $12.0 million animal habitat and exhibit construction project. As Director of Living Collections, Mr. Lovett is not only responsible for the care and wellbeing of the Palm Beach Zoo's flora and fauna but also the Zoo's conservation and research initiatives. He manages the Zoo's animal care staff, supervises the in-house conservation education programs, and maintains wildlife permits and licenses.
Mr. Lovett was awarded his B.S. from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire in 1994. He is a member of the International Wild Waterfowl Association, Florida Ornithological Society, American Federation of Aviculture, Florida Avian Group, American Association of Zoo Keepers, and the Audubon Society of the Everglades.
Mr. Lovett is also a professional member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is the Zoo's Institutional Representative for the Florida Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In addition, he is the Vice Chair of the Jaguar Species Survival Plan (SSP) Management Group, Coordinator of the Spider Monkey SSP Management Group, and Studbook Keeper and Population Management Plan (PMP) Manager for the West Indian whistling duck. Mr. Lovett is also a member of the Steering Committee for the Parrot and Gruiformes, a member of the New World Primate Taxon Advisory Group, and a member of the Ocelot, Fennec Fox, and Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby Species SSP Management Group.