The city of Aurora announced this week that longtime zoologist Margaret Bowen has taken the helm of Phillips Park Zoo and will lead the 101-year-old Aurora zoo as its next zoo manager.

Bowen has nearly 20 years of experience working in the animal care field at zoos and animal clinics throughout the country. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in zoology from Oswego State University in New York and a follow-up specialized associate’s degree in zoo animal science technology from the Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo in Gainesville, FL.

“I look forward to continue increasing our animal inhabitants at Phillips Park Zoo while strengthening the quality of our education and conservation programs,” Bowen said.

Bowen is a seasoned zoologist with a wide range of leadership experiences, including coaching corporate teams on communications and maximizing group dynamics.

Prior to coming to Phillips Park Zoo, Bowen served as a veterinary technician at the Animal Medical Clinic in Rockford, IL; the Client Care Manager at Bethany Animal Hospital in Sycamore, IL; and an Animal Keeper/Lead Trainer at the Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville, GA.

During her tenure as Curator/Registrar of the Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo in Great Bend, KS, she led the institution in the process of applying for accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the most widely recognized international accreditation program for zoos.

“I am excited about being able to work with such a great team at Phillips Park Zoo,” Bowen said. “The zookeepers here have great passion and dedication for the work they do and I think we all can really look forward to a great future for this historic zoo.”

About the city of Aurora

Located 35 miles west of Chicago, Aurora is the second largest city in Illinois with a population of 200,456.  Aurora is known as the “City of Lights” because it was one of the first in the nation to illuminate its streets with electric lights.  Situated along the Fox River and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88), the city extends 46 square miles encompassing Kane, DuPage, Kendall and Will counties.  Aurora also is home to six public school districts and seven townships.