The Sacramento Zoo opened in 1927 and boasts 14 acres and more than 400 animals. When the zoo first opened it was a little more than four acres and exhibited monkeys, raccoons, deer and a small animals.

In 1948 the Sacramento Union Newspaper sponsored a drive to raise money to buy the zoo an elephant named Sue - which stood for Sacramento Union Elephant. In 1955 they got a companion for Sue named Winky.

The Zoo’s education program began in 1958 - one of only nine in the country. We spoke with one of the core members of the Zoo's education team today, Lara Kirkendall and an animal ambassador Julio (who is a blue and gold macaw).

Lara shared her favorite parts of the job, her least favorite parts of the job and interesting animal behaviors and facts we didn't know about our favorite species.