Prior to joining the Zoo, Gakure spent 17 years educating adventurers as a naturalist guide for Overseas Adventure Travel and Micato Safaris in Nairobi, Kenya.  During his tenure as a guide, he often found more adventure than he bargained for.  “I was once chased by a pride of lions and another time by a female rhino that was close enough I could touch her horn,” says Gakure.  “Happily in both instances no harm came either way.”

Gakure’s background also includes participating in research studies on the behavior and breeding patterns of chimpanzees, giraffes and rhinos, as well as tracking the history and culture of some of Kenya’s major tribes.  “I look forward to the challenges of educating people, giving them a taste of where I’m from, and at the same time learning new things about myself from the people I meet,” he says.

Gakure earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science, tour guiding and administration from Utalii College in Nairobi, which was evaluated and conferred by Oregon State University.  Born in Nakuru, Kenya, he lives in Huntington Woods with his wife and their three children.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October.  Admission is $11 for adults 13 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 

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