As Director of Primate Care and Conservation, Kimberly Skelton ensures the highest standard of animal welfare for primates at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Alongside leading a team of skilled animal care specialists through day-to-day operations, she also develops long-term strategies, overseeing primate transfers, breeding plans, habitat enhancements, enrichment, and more. She brings scientific insight to the Zoo’s primate strategy, integrating research and conservation and supporting plans with a background in business. Her passion for creating meaningful, lasting connections between animals and people helps her lead initiatives that prioritize both animal welfare and guest experience.

Skelton joined Brookfield Zoo Chicago at a pivotal time in our primate history. She was well equipped for the moment, with over two decades of working at zoos such as Brevard Zoo and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Before joining us in Chicago, she was the assistant curator of primates at Denver Zoo.

Her primate expertise in great apes, such as gorillas and orangutans, and a diverse collection of African, Eurasian, and South American monkeys has been invaluable to the Zoo’s launch of James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests. She led the transition of primates at the Zoo from Tropic World to Bramsen Tropical Forests, a delicate and cutting-edge process that helped ensure the primates could acclimate to their new habitats. She also specializes in the management and formation of complex primate social groups, especially gorillas.

With years of experience and connections, she is highly involved throughout the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). She is on AZA’s Professional Development Committee. She offers her primate knowledge as an Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP) contributor, Colobus Monkey SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction advisor, and African-Eurasian Monkey Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) member.

Skelton has an associate degree in zoo animal technology from Santa Fe College and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Colorado State University. In late 2025, she completed a Master of Business Administration focusing on organizational leadership and change management from Colorado State University.