Meet the Zoo Director - September, 2009 - John Brueggen, St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

Name: John Brueggen

Actual title: Director

Name of your zoo: St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

Location:  St. Augustine, Florida, U.S.A.

URL for your facility: www.alligatorfarm.us

Number of species at your facility: 123 (including all 23 species of crocodilians)

Your favorite critter at the facility: Komodo Dragon

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 913

Number of visitors annually: 200,000

Number of employees: 34

Number of volunteers: 2

Annual budget: 2 Million

Degree(s): B.S. in Zoology

Experience prior to this position: Keeper Busch Gardens, Lowry Park Zoo, Discovery Island, Zoological Manager-Discovery Island, General Curator – St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Favorite part of your job: Surprises

One dream wish for your facility: Breeding Gharial

Family: Wife, Eleanor Brueggen

Pets at home: Two cats, four dogs, two Gila monsters, one Gaboon viper, two Yellowfoot tortoises, and one African Grey parrot

When you retire, you plan to: REST