Meet the ZooAmerica Team: Bela Bialer

Bela Bialer is a Zoo Educator Aide at ZooAmerica.  She is an alumnus of Lebanon Valley College and joined the team in 2018. 

Bela spends most of her time helping with summer ZooCamp and Wild Winter activities. She also assists in the husbandry, training, and enrichment of ZooAmerica's ambassador animals. She specializes in reptiles and amphibians. 

Bela and Rat Ambassador at ZooAmerica
Bela and Houdini the Iguana at ZooAmerica
Bela and Barred Owl Ambassador at ZooAmerica

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I spend the majority of my time outside hiking. I also really enjoy reading, crocheting, and creating art. One of my favorite pastimes is drawing our Zoo animals! 

Raven artwork by ZooAmerica naturalist
Opossum artwork by ZooAmerica naturalist

What do you enjoy about the work you do?

Working at a zoo is what I have always wanted to do. I am extremely passionate about animals and conservation, so being able to relay that to our ZooCampers and the public is extremely rewarding to me. I love to answer questions, and it excites me when I can see others are passionate too! I also love to help train our animals and learn their unique personalities and behaviors. It is truly fulfilling. 

Who's your favorite animal?

My favorite animal at ZooAmerica is Houdini, the iguana! He lives in our Northlands Education center. He is always very expressive and puts a smile on our pre-school campers' faces when they see him in the mornings!