# @denverzoo on Instagram - **Type:** Image - **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Da_7a8-DCtO - **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68169173-denverzoo-instagram - **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/b1094ea869.jpg - **Posted:** 2026-07-20T03:02:23.000+00:00 - **Account Owner:** Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (@denverzoo) β€” https://gondola.cc/denverzoo ## Caption It's #NationalZookeeperWeek and we're celebrating the incredible people who show up every single day for the animals in our care. This week, we're highlighting some of our Animal Care Specialists and the ink that tells their story. From beloved species they've dedicated their careers to, to animals that changed their lives forever, these tattoos are more than art. They're a love letter to wildlife. 🐾 Meet Christa Klein, Animal Care Specialist here at DZCA. Christa has been a keeper for over 15 years and has been part of our team for 8 years. And her passion for wildlife is written right on her skin. πŸ–€ Christa carries three very special animals with her everywhere she goes: 🦧 Berani the Sumatran orangutan represented by his own fingerprints, in the shape of a heart. Knowing Berani was in late-stage kidney failure, Christa utilized a training session with him to voluntarily take his fingerprints, later sharing the finished tattoo with his family. 🦌 Spock the Kirk's dik-dik immortalized as a life-sized tiny heart hoof print. 🦏 Rudy the black rhino captured in a stunning watercolor portrait. All three animals have since passed, and all three were cared for right here at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. β€œThese three animals made a lasting impact on me, and I wanted a way to keep them with me after they passed... Getting them tattooed felt like a meaningful way to honor them and carry their memory with me wherever I go.” Stay tuned all week as we introduce you to more of the passionate people behind the care of our incredible animals. 🐾 christa.love ## Stats - **Views:** 0 - **Likes:** 986 - **Shares:** 0 - **Comments:** 15 ## Tags nationalzookeeperweek --- Copyright (c) Gondola