Ken Reininger Is North Carolina's New General Curator

By Rod Hackney

Asheboro, NC - The North Carolina Zoo has named Curator of Birds Ken Reininger as the park’s new general curator. Reininger replaces Steve Miller who resigned in July to return to his native Ohio.

Reininger has served as curator of birds for the N.C. Zoo since 1993. As general curator, he will oversee the zoo division in charge of animal care, acquisition and exhibit. He has been serving as acting general curator since Miller’s departure.

Reininger holds a bachelor's of science degree in multiple sciences and did graduate work in environmental sciences and forestry at the State University of New York. He has been in the zoo profession since 1975, starting as a zookeeper. He previously held the position of Curator of Birds/Reptiles/Amphibians/Fishes and Invertebrates for 10 years at the Burnet Park Zoo in Syracuse, New York.

Reininger has served for many years on the steering committees for several avian conservation and science programs for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He has also served on the AZA's Animal Welfare Committee, Conservation Endowment Fund grant selection committee and Wildlife Conservation Management Committee.

The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Dept. of Environment & Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor