At this year’s American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) National Conference, the Point Defiance Chapter of AAZK was honored with the 2025 AAZK Chapter of the Year award. This makes Point Defiance the only chapter ever to have won Chapter of the Year two years in a row.

The Chapter of the Year award recognizes chapters that exemplify the AAZK mission: advancing animal care, conservation, and professional development. The Point Defiance Chapter stands out through:

• Ongoing conservation fundraising events like Bowling for Rhinos, Party for Polar Bears, and Drinking for Conservation
• Robust support for professional development, including workshops and networking opportunities
• A passionate, active membership of keepers, interns, volunteers, and zoo supporters

Additional Awards & Recognition

In addition, Suzanne Akerman, Staff Biologist at the zoo’s Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater, received the prestigious Lutz Ruhe AAZK Professional of the Year award.

Suzanne exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated zookeeper, educator, and conservation advocate. She began volunteering at the zoo in 2002 and gained experience as a seasonal interpreter while attending college. By 2005, she joined the staff as a Zoological Assistant. Nearly two decades later, she now serves as a Staff Biologist at Wild Wonders and leads the Point Defiance AAZK Chapter as Chapter President.

“My favorite part of the job is sharing with the public how much I love the animals,” Suzanne said. “Watching their eyes light up during encounters reminds me why I do this work.”

Though initially on the path to becoming a teacher, Suzanne’s time volunteering at the zoo reignited a childhood dream of working with animals. Now, she brings that passion to life daily, whether through onstage performances or one-on-one guest encounters.

Suzanne has worked with a wide range of animals—from millipedes and owls to aardvarks and sloths—but her favorite is Jumbo Jet, a radiated tortoise who changed the way she sees reptiles and has helped countless guests connect with them too.

“Being a zookeeper is hard work, and it’s not always glamorous,” she notes. “But if you are passionate about the animals you care for, you will thrive.”

This year’s conference also brought individual accolades to Russell Pharr, a Staff Biologist in the Rocky Shores and Arctic Tundra areas of the zoo:

• He received the Animal Keepers’ Forum Susan D. Chan Author of the Year Award for an article about caring for Suki the elephant titled Adjusting Husbandry and Management Policies for an Asian Elephant with Active Tuberculosis. The piece, published in Animal Keepers’ Forum, was recognized for its excellence in journalism within the animal care profession.
• Russell also received a Certificate of Recognition for his service on the AAZK Board of Directors. He oversaw AAZK’s International Outreach Committee, which supports capacity-building and professional development for keepers in Latin America. In addition, he led the Resource Committee, which creates and distributes essential tools for animal care professionals and chapters across the country. He also served in the Education Oversight role for a four-year term from 2021-2025.

Support Point Defiance AAZK

AAZK supports zookeepers through professional development and helps fund vital conservation projects. With over 100 chapters across the U.S. and Canada—including Point Defiance—the organization connects animal care professionals and wildlife advocates across the continent.

You can support the Point Defiance AAZK Chapter and its ongoing conservation and education efforts by attending events or donating. You don’t need to be a zookeeper to join AAZK! The best way to get involved is by supporting your local chapter. The Point Defiance chapter host events year-round, often posted on social media or their website.