Kari Toth

Kari brings with her over 35 years of animal experience and was involved with animals from a very young age, an interest that was supported by her parents. When she and her parents moved to 5 acres in Oregon when she was in sixth grade she was finally able to have the animals she wanted. First of all, came the horse as well as countless 4-H shows, training clinics, endurance and trail rides. Kari entered into 4-H where she raised and showed market hogs at the fair, one year even winning Grand Champion! After seeing an article in People magazine about this really amazing program called EATM (Exotic Animal Training and Management) at Moorpark College she knew exactly where she wanted to go after graduating. She and her mother asked for an application to that school and she excitedly applied. Because of the timing and the limited amount of students accepted each year she also registered at Oregon State University for the Pre-Veterinary program just in case. She was fortunately accepted at Moorpark with her graduation in 1983. She subsequently went to work at the Magic Mountain animal farm and the Animal Chatter Show handling, maintaining, and training many different species of animals. She was also lucky enough to be able to spend a great deal of time volunteering with the dolphin show where her future husband worked. After Magic Mountain Kari worked as a Recreational Assistant at the Los Angeles Zoo Koala House. It was here she was able to learn a great deal about animals you don't usually get to spend a lot of time with; Koalas, Echidnas, and Sugar Gliders just to name a few. The Recreational Assistant program was terminated at the zoo but it was just about the time Nick was offered the marine mammal training position at Marine World Africa USA in Northern California. Kari moved as well and was hired as a zookeeper at the San Jose Zoo.