I am not speaking out of turn when I announce that Jennifer Kleen is leaving the Zoo after over 6 years as the executive director of the Greater Minot Zoological Society (GMZS). With a background in journalism, Jennifer took on this role when the zoo was at a crossroads regarding what’s next. During the flood of 2011, she covered it as a reporter and by 2016, most of the renovations had been made from that ordeal. Six years may not seem to be a long time for some, but in a zoo, six years can create a lifetime of memories.

As the Executive Director for GMZS, Jennifer worked directly with its Board of Directors, planning and executing events, promoting and expanding memberships, overseeing gift shop operations, promoting the zoo within the community and through social media, and so much more. Jennnifer was a part of the zoo’s management team, working closely with the other multiple facets that make the zoo a special place. Her work for GMZS often crossed over to overall zoo operations, just as zoo staff were more than happy to lend a hand for GMZS projects. A question of whose responsibility was whose, we all worked together to make whatever the activity as successful as possible for the zoo and the community.

Jennifer is leaving the zoo to take on a new position with the City of Minot in communications. While it is a great opportunity for her, she will be greatly missed by myself and staff. But as she looks back there is a lot that was accomplished during her tenure that she can be proud of. Since she began, much of her focus was on the Big Cats Projects and over those years she worked with a variety of partners to help ensure the money was raised to complete the African lion, Amur tiger, and this past spring, the Amur leopard exhibits. All three were designed for success that we have already realized with the tigers and should realize in the coming years with the lions and leopards.

She organized fundraising events like Bacon and Brew and community events like Boo at the Zoo. When the zoo was preparing to mark its centennial, Jennifer stepped up with a program of events to recognize and celebrate the zoo’s 100th anniversary. She oversaw the installation of the new public address system that provides guests with announcements along with music or animal sounds throughout the campus. To name all that she has accomplished would take more space than is allowed for this article, but everyone can believe that her presence at the zoo will be missed.

The moniker, Jungle Jenn, arose during the COVID lockdowns as she created videos for Facebook to share information about the zoo and animals. Her laugh, hard work and passion for the zoo will be difficult to replace, and while I have worked at several zoos with many managers, I cannot recall an individual’s departure that would not only leave such a hole in our operations, but perhaps an even larger one in our hearts. So, I offer this last tip of my hat and a heartfelt toast to our very own “Jungle Jenn,” Jennifer Kleen.