Kim with Josie the Baird’s tapir.

Name: Kim McCoy

Hometown: Port Orange, FL

Education: BS, Biology, Minor, Psychology, University of Central Florida

Assignment: Wild Florida

On the job since: 2016

Previous experience: Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens (2013–15), Phoenix Zoo (2015–16)

Favorite animal to work with: Josie the Baird’s tapir

Center stage: Kim’s innate ability to connect with guests during keeper chats and training demonstrations has made her a “presentation superstar.” She attributes this skill to her experience as an education keeper at Central Florida Zoo, where she presented servals, macaws and other animals to audiences on a daily basis.