After nearly 3 decades on the job, this zoo veteran says 'animals are so much smarter than people'
After nearly 3 decades on the job, this zoo veteran says 'animals are so much smarter than people'
Despite having a diploma in chemical process technology, Ms Chan Poh Shan decided to pursue her interest in working with animals after being "totally bored" during a laboratory internship.
At 20 and with no experience, Ms Chan walked into the zoo’s corporate office asking for a job.
She soon landed her first job as a keeper. “The first week was terrible, but the animals were just fun to be with.”
From foxes to pumas, snakes to sea lions – Ms Chan has worked with over 100 species. “You name it, I’ve handled it. Being around animals, training and getting to know them, is the best part of the job."
Ms Chan is now the deputy vice-president of animal behaviour and programmes at Mandai Wildlife Group. She has 70 to 80 workers under her watch and around 800 animals from more than 100 species in her care.
