Kenton Kerns

Board Member

Kenton is the Curator of the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Small Mammal House where he oversees the care for a number of animals, including golden lion tamarins. As seen in the photo, keepers must wear masks when in the exhibit area with the tamarins to avoid possible transmission of human infections. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology from American University and has a master's from George Mason University with a concentration in Zoo and Aquarium Leadership.

Kenton’s passion for golden lion tamarins was sparked when he volunteered with the National Zoo’s golden lion tamarin Free Range Program. A pair or family of GLTs was released into the zoo’s Rock Creek campus during the summer months, and volunteers tracked the tamarins, monitored behavior, and interpreted the released animals to guests. Kenton's volunteer work eventually led to his current full-time position working with GLTs at the National Zoo.

Kenton serves as the GLT International Studbook Keeper and is responsible for ensuring there is an up-to-date global record of the ex situ GLT meta-population in zoos and aquariums around the world. He also supports the golden lion tamarin Species Survival Plan, a group that manages the population of GLTs in captivity in North America. He’s had the opportunity to travel to Brazil and see GLT conservation and habitat restoration first hand.