BALTIMORE — The Maryland Zoo honored its first African-American female zookeeper, Mary Wilson, by promoting diversity through an internship program, according to the zoo staff.
The paid, five-week internship will be awarded to a local Black, indigenous, or person of color (BIPOC) college student interested in zookeeping. The intern will gain hands-on experience in animal care while learning about careers at the zoo.
“We wanted to honor Mary’s legacy and commitment to mentoring the next generation,” said [zoo spokesperson]. “This internship will provide a student from an underrepresented background with unique insight into zookeeping.”
A Natural With Animals
Wilson, who passed away in 2022 at age 83 after contracting COVID-19, was a beloved figure at the zoo for 38 years. Though she had no formal training when she began working there in her early 20s, colleagues say Wilson had a special charm with animals.
“She treated those animals like equals,” said Mike McClure, a former co-worker. McClure described how Wilson soothingly interacted with even the most challenging creatures, including a violent chimpanzee and an escaped elephant.
Her daughter, Sharron Wilson Jackson, also became a trailblazing zookeeper at the Omaha Zoo. She recalled her mother bringing home baby monkeys and snakes when she was a child. “She gave me the same privileges as she did those animals,” Jackson said.
An Enduring Legacy
Wilson is remembered not only for her skills but her barrier-breaking career. She worked extensively with large mammals like tigers and gorillas at a time when most female zookeepers handled only birds and small creatures.
“Mary changed how I viewed gender roles in zoos,” McClure said, crediting Wilson with inspiring more women to enter the field.
Though a humble woman, Wilson’s presence captivated many. When a gorilla she had raised was later struggling at another zoo, Wilson was brought in. The gorilla perked up at seeing her old caretaker, pressing her head to the bars to touch Wilson’s hand.
The new internship ensures Wilson’s empowering legacy at the zoo continues. As Jackson put it, “That, right there, was my mom.”
