Living Desert Names Roxanna Breitigan as Director of Animal Programs

The Living Desert is pleased to announced that RoxAnna Breitigan was recently named the Director of Animal Programs.

In this role, Breitigan will oversee all aspects of the animal and veterinary departments at The Living Desert including animals, zoo keeper staff, hospital staff, exhibits, enclosures, diets, enrichment, training and zoo culture. She also will be involved in the overall continuing master planning at the Zoo.

“We are thrilled to welcome RoxAnna to our staff,” said Allen Monroe, President & CEO of The Living Desert. “She has a true passion and love for what she does and we know she is going to make a difference in our zoo.”

Breitigan joins the zoo with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining The Living Desert, Breitigan worked for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, CO. After beginning as a volunteer, she was quickly hired as a zookeeper before working her way up to lead keeper, area supervisor and eventually named animal care manager.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else but working with animals,” said Breitigan. “I look forward to collaborating with the outstanding and dedicated staff at The Living Desert.”

Breitigan, a native of Southern California, also worked as a zookeeper at the Santa Ana Zoo (Santa Ana, CA). She holds a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona.

The Living Desert is open daily in the summer from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with last admission at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.LivingDesert.org or contact 760-346-5694.

• --News Release from the Living Desert