Lori Space Day authors new book

WANTAGE — Zookeeping is a lifestyle, not just a profession.
Lori Space Day’s new book, “Zoo Momma” chronicles her unusual life. “Zoo Momma” is the continuing journal of Lori Space Day, a third-generation zoologist. Growing up and working at Space Farms Zoo and Museum in New Jersey, she writes about individual animals and her animal adventures at the zoo. Her unusual lifestyle has enabled her to work with numerous different species, from lions, lynx, lemurs, leopards, tigers, to kangaroo and many other species. Long days of outside animal work, cleaning enclosures, painting, and educating the public are followed by longer nights nursing infant animals and tending to their needs.
“Zoo Momma” is a sequel to “The Zookeeper‘s Daughter“, showcasing the previous 12 years of this working zookeeper‘s life. Stories of daily animal care, medical procedures and infant care are peppered with humor and chock full of information on many different species. Animals escape, or get sick and yes, tragically, some die. Through this unique ongoing animal autobiography, Space Day is able to give the reader a glimpse of the behind the scenes activities at the zoo.
“Dealing with the challenge of treating an exotic animal and having a successful outcome is personally gratifying,” said Dr. Ted Spinks, the zoo’s veterinarian. His specialized work is reflected in “Zoo Momma”. “Working with Lori and the Space family has given me unique opportunities and experiences, from setting and casting a kangaroo’s broken leg to neutering a tiger.”
“Lori is a renaissance woman. A biologist by degree, she has a natural spirit and innate knowledge attending to all the zoo animals she loves,” says Carol Decker,a renowned wildlife artist from Branchville. “ She has knowledge from years of experience of raising the wild babies successfully, bringing calm to all the animals she cares for, educating the children and adults that visit the zoo, and is an accomplished artist and author.”
Space Day’s early years were spent alongside her family learning native and exotic animal husbandry first hand. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Nazareth College of Rochester, N.Y. , managed a pet shop and returned to work in the family business, Space Farms Zoo and Museum. A renowned multi-specie pediatric specialist, she is the “Zoo Momma“.
Copies of “Zoo Momma” will be available for $24.95 at book signings at Space Farms on Saturday Nov. 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.. She will be at the Sussex County Farmer’s Market at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sparta Bookstore on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 2-4 p.m. and The Animal Hospital of Sussex County in Augusta on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..
For more information please call 973-702-7372, or contact by email at www.lorispaceday.com.