You've already met the African elephant herd, now meet someone who’s cared for them for over 20 years. Mindy Albright is the curator of mammals, ambassadors, and applied behavior at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. In her current role, she oversees wildlife populations and habitat design, in addition to caring for wildlife. She’s spent much of her career working with elephants, advancing their care and conservation here in San Diego and around the world.
Can you walk us through an average day in your life?
No two days are the same, and my role centers around making sure both the wildlife and the people who care for them have what they need to thrive. My mornings usually start with checking in with our wildlife care teams to hear how the wildlife is doing and whether any new needs have emerged. From there, my day becomes a blend of big picture planning and hands-on support.
Much of my time is spent managing wildlife populations, supporting Species Survival Plan breeding efforts, ensuring we meet American Zoos and Aquariums and United States Department of Agriculture standards, and keeping our training programs strong through collaboration across the Safari Park. I also partner closely with our coexistence team, who enact approaches that thoughtfully care for and support the native wildlife we share the Safari Park with, by cultivating systems and practices that allow both the species we care for and the surrounding native ecosystem to thrive. In addition, I help guide team member development, manage budgets, and ensure we meet the highest standards of wildlife care, safety, and innovation.
Throughout all of this, a major part of my role is caring for the people who make this work possible. Their well being directly impacts the wildlife they care for, so supporting them is always at the center of my day.
No two days are the same for Mindy or the elephant herd. Every one is its own unique adventure!
Did you always want to work with elephants?
I’ve always been in awe of wildlife and would have been thrilled to join any wildlife care team at the Safari Park. After working as a tour guide and spending time with the elephant team, I discovered my deep passion for wildlife behavior and care.
Is there anything from the elephant program’s development that you're especially proud of?
I’m incredibly proud of the vital role our elephant herd has played in advancing scientific understanding and conservation efforts, helping to shape a better future for their species. Their resilience and the dynamic family bonds they share welcoming and raising 14 calves within a thriving multigenerational herd continue to inspire and teach us every day.
Through thoughtful comprehensive care strategies, we are continuously learning from this remarkable herd. The knowledge gained is not ours alone; it contributes to a global network of conservation partners working collectively to support the future of elephants everywhere.
When Zuli was a newborn calf, every member of the herd played a part in keeping an eye on him and helping out his mom, Ndula.
What’s the most memorable moment you’ve witnessed with the African elephant herd?
There are so many unforgettable moments, and what stands out the most is observing the herd’s social dynamics evolve over time. When a calf is born, every member of the herd plays a role in protecting them. Young females mimic the adults and become vigilant babysitters or allomothers. On the other hand, young males socialize differently to prepare for the day they’ll leave the maternal herd. These moments are deeply relatable to many of our guests as they closely reflect our own family relationships.
Do you have a favorite elephant in the herd?
Phakamile (Kami) and Umngani are my favorites. I was part of each of their care teams, which gave me the chance to create strong, trusting relationships with them. They have very different learning styles, but both are eager learners and taught me so much about working together, behavior, and patience.
Kami (pictured above) is one of Mindy's favorite elephants in the herd.
Do you have a favorite elephant fact?
Elephants are pregnant for 22 months! It’s one of those facts that are relatable to parents.
What are you most excited about with the opening of Denny Sanford Elephant Valley?
I’m excited for guests to get closer to the herd and witness their complex social interactions. It’s truly an intimate experience, there’s nothing quite like being in the presence of elephants.
Elephant Valley is a huge accomplishment for both our team and the herd. No other project has been designed and implemented around a herd of elephants like this. I’m incredibly grateful to the wildlife care team for their creativity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to prioritizing the elephants at every stage.
Elephant Valley is a huge accomplishment for both the teams at the Safari Park and the elephant herd.
Besides elephants, do you have any other wildlife you’ve really enjoyed working with? If so, do you have any stories about them that you’d like to share?
In my current role, I don’t directly work with any one species. However, I have the privilege of supporting the teams who care for a wide variety of wildlife. Some of my most cherished moments come from watching those teams succeed whether it’s teaching a new behavior or completing a comprehensive wellness exam where the wildlife actively engages. Seeing wildlife participate in their own care is incredibly rewarding, and it’s a testament to the trust and relationships our teams work so hard to build.
I also love watching teams dive into a species’ natural history to create environments and experiences that allow wildlife to express natural behaviors, including breeding and rearing young. Those moments when science, instinct, and expert care come together are especially meaningful. Beyond that, seeing new scientific insights emerge from our work, and watching people grow in their careers in ways that directly enhance the care of the species we’re responsible for, is something I treasure just as much as any hands-on experience.
If you could work with a non-mammal, which species would you work with?
Birds, I love birds.
Opening March 5, journey into the heart of Elephant Valley and connect with Mindy’s favorite elephants Kami and Umngani. Here you’ll experience their extraordinary world while you become part of a movement larger than yourself that will protect endangered elephants for generations to come through our Savanna Conservation Hub.
