Nationality Australian Name Louise Grossfeldt | Role Conservationist | |
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Full Name Louise Ellen Grossfeldt Occupation Zoo keeper. Conservationist | ||
Louise (Lou) Grossfeldt (born Louise Ellen Grossfeldt) is a zoo keeper, primate husbandry specialist and conservationist, based in Australia. For over 20 years, she has worked with primates at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. In 2015, Lou commenced work as a curator at Mogo Zoo on the New South Wales South Coast. In 2017 she became Mogo Zoo's Manager Life Sciences.
As part of her husbandry work, Grossfeldt has held positions including Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) Coordinator for New World monkeys and a regional stud book keeper for western lowland gorilla and Black-and-white ruffed lemur.
Grossfeldt is Vice President of Borneo Orangutan Survival Australia. She has worked around the world on primate husbandry and conservation projects, with organisations including Jane Goodall Institute and the Endangered Primate Centre in the Cúc Phương National Park.
In 2013, to honour her ongoing efforts to save the Borneo orangutan, technicians of Borneo Orangutan Survival at Samboja Lestari named an orphaned baby orang after Grossfeldt. Local people believe naming a baby orang after a special person will give the infant extra spirit and a will to live.
Media work
As a member of the Taronga Zoo team, Grossfeldt's work has been featured on television programs including Totally Wild, The Project, The Zoo and Wildlife at the Zoo.
In 2013, Grossfeldt and the work of Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation were featured on 60 Minutes.
In 2015, Grossfeldt co-authored the book Our Primate Family, with writer David Blissett. The foreword for the book was written by primatologist and UN Messenger of Peace Dr Jane Goodall.
Grossfeldt's work is also regularly featured in print media and on radio, especially ABC Radio (Australia) and presenter Richard Glover (radio presenter).
In March 2016, Grossfeldt was featured on an ABC Kid's podcast "Short and Curly", discussing the subject: "should chimps have the same rights as kids?"