Andrew J. Baker

Board Member

After graduating from Stanford University, Andy began his involvement with golden lion tamarins as a keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo, and that influenced the rest of his professional career. He began doctoral studies in animal behavior at the University of Maryland, under the direction of Dr. Devra Kleiman, and initiated field research in 1985 for his dissertation on mating system, infant care and group dynamics of golden lion tamarins in the Poço das Antas Reserve in Brazil.  He received several National Science Foundation grants with Dr. Jim Dietz to work with GLTs, and has published in both popular and scholarly publications, including the American Journal of Primatology and Animal Behaviour.  

Following his graduate work, Andy joined the Philadelphia Zoo in 1992 as Assistant Curator of Mammals.  He was promoted to Curator of Primates and Small Mammals in 1994, to Vice President for Animal Programs in 2001, and to Chief Operating Officer in 2008.  In this last role, he oversaw daily zoo operations, including animal care, conservation, education, guest relations, marketing, communications, physical facilities, and planning. He retired from the Philadelphia Zoo in 2020.