LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (September 15, 2026) – The Little Rock Zoo is pleased to announce Hannah Baker as its new General Curator, recognizing a remarkable career of service, leadership and animal expertise developed over more than a decade at the Zoo.
Baker joined the Little Rock Zoo in 2011 and has served in a succession of increasingly responsible roles, including intern, keeper, lead keeper and curator. Her professional experience spans several specialized areas of zoological care, including Ambassador Animals, penguins and reptiles, giving her an unusually broad understanding of both animal care and the many ways zoos connect people with wildlife.
“Hannah’s career at the Little Rock Zoo is a testament to what can happen when expertise, curiosity and a genuine passion for animals come together,” said Susan Altrui, Zoo Director. “She understands our animals, our staff and our mission to inspire people to value and conserve our natural world from the ground up, and she brings an incredible depth of knowledge and enthusiasm to this new role.”
Baker earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2012 and a Master’s degree in Environmental Education in 2019. Her professional credentials extend well beyond the Zoo itself. She currently serves as Secretary of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Raptor Taxonomic Advisory Group (Raptor TAG), is a member of the African Vulture SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program, and serves as a general member of the Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group (SAG).
She is also a Certified Professional Bird Trainer, Certified Rescue Diver and certified AZA Accreditation Inspector, and serves as the Little Rock Zoo’s Dive Safety Officer.
Most recently, Baker played a pivotal role in bringing Komodo dragons to the Little Rock Zoo, and Arkansas, for the first time. The landmark addition required extensive planning, specialized expertise and collaboration, making it a fitting example of the kind of work Baker brings to her new position.
As General Curator, Baker will help lead the Zoo’s animal-care and curatorial efforts while continuing to advance the highest standards of animal welfare, conservation, education and professional excellence.
“I’m incredibly honored to step into the role of General Curator at a place that has been such an important part of my life and career,” said Baker. “I’ve had the opportunity to grow here in so many different capacities, and I’m excited to continue working alongside an exceptional team to care for our animals, advance conservation and inspire our community to make a difference for wildlife.”
For Baker, inspiring others is not simply part of the job description—it is a personal mission.
She is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm for wildlife with Zoo guests and colleagues alike and encouraging people to recognize that meaningful conservation can begin with something as simple as becoming curious about an animal.
And while her professional life revolves around wildlife, Baker’s passion for animals doesn’t stop at the Zoo.
When she isn’t at work, she devotes a large amount of her free time to her three Border Collies, training and competing with them in agility, disc, flyball and dock diving. She is a member of the Little Rock Dog Training Club, is a dog agility instructor and serves on the board of the Central Arkansas Disc Dog Organization.
With her combination of zoological expertise, leadership experience, conservation credentials and infectious enthusiasm for animals, Baker brings a distinctive perspective to the General Curator position—and a career-long commitment to helping the Little Rock Zoo fulfill its mission of connecting people with wildlife and inspiring conservation.
About the Zoo
The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit aza.org.
For more information on Little Rock Zoo, visit littlerockzoo.com or call 501-661-7200.
