This is Monica Lake, our Head of Facility Services.
Open-air tiger bridges, 23-metre-high climbing poles for primates and a panoramic aquarium-like crocodile display; just three prominent design features of our South East Asia Jungle Track development. The brains behind these innovative inclusions? Auckland Zoo’s Head of Facility Services, Monica Lake, of course.
Trained in environmental design and economics, as well as architecture, Monica is now leading the project team responsible for the Track’s design and construction since moving to New Zealand from Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo in 2017. It was here that Monica worked her way up for 10 years; beginning with work on a new penguin exhibit and an array of other projects before being appointed as head of the capital programmes department and facilities department – quite the leap!
In 2017, Monica took another (rather large) leap to Auckland. When asked what spurred her monumental move, our leading lady admitted she couldn’t turn down the opportunity to lend her skills to a place already recognised for its conservation ideals and dedication for building a better future for its wildlife.