Zoo Curator Balances Panthers, Manatees, And Hockey

Molly Guilfoyle keeps a close watch on the animals sharing her care: panthers, otters, and manatees. One cat, a Florida panther, moves through its habitat at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Guilfoyle has a rule about the other panthers, the hockey players wearing skates. "We're Lightning fans," she said. "So that's the only kind of panther we like."

Guilfoyle serves as a senior curator at ZooTampa. She has worked at the facility for decades. Her responsibilities include the health and welfare of mammals at the park. She described the work as demanding. "We do have a really intense job, and we do take it very seriously," she said. "But it's good to have laughter and fun in your life, and that's what the Lightning bring to us."

Her family and her coworkers follow the Tampa Bay Lightning. Guilfoyle watches the team after long days at the zoo. "They're always winning, too," she said. "How can you not root for them?"

Guilfoyle is involved in the Florida Waters expansion at ZooTampa. The project carries a $33 million price tag. It adds an improved care space for rescued manatees. Many of these manatees carry scars from encounters with boaters in the wild. Guilfoyle described the species as resilient. "They're resiliency to survive is what keeps me going every day," she said.