Lisa Marie Stevens facts for kids

Lisa Marie Stevens is an American zoologist. She used to work at the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoo. There, she was in charge of many mammals. She managed the special programs for giant pandas and primates.

Ms. Stevens worked at the National Zoo from 1978 until she retired in 2011. She started managing the panda breeding program in 1987. She became very well-known after the birth of the panda cub Tai Shan in 2005.

Many people called her "the Panda Lady." Her job involved planning exhibits and looking after animals. She also supervised the zoo staff. She cared for primates like gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons. She is recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They featured her in their "Spotlight on African American Scientists."

Discovering a Love for Animals

Lisa Stevens moved a lot when she was a child. Her father was in the United States Army. She lived in places like Okinawa, Japan, and Bangkok, Thailand. In these places, she met many different animals.

She once said, "I was that kid who, at age 3 and 4, was picking up caterpillars and holding snakes." This shows her early love for wildlife. When she was ten, she started taking horseback riding lessons. Watching vets care for horses sparked her interest in animal medicine.

Education and Training

Ms. Stevens went to high school in Washington D.C. She later studied at Michigan State University. In 1977, she earned a degree in Zoology. This prepared her to work with animals. She also completed special training for zoo and aquarium managers in 1986.

A Career Protecting Animals

After college, Lisa Stevens moved to Washington, D.C.. In 1978, she started working at the National Zoo. Her first job was as an animal keeper. She helped care for many different animals.

By 1981, she was promoted to a management role. She began leading the program for primates that same year. In 1987, she also started managing the giant panda program. Her duties included daily tasks, managing staff, and planning new exhibits. She also helped with research and education.

The Famous Panda, Tai Shan

A very exciting event happened in 2005. Lisa Stevens was overseeing the panda program. That year, Tai Shan was born at the National Zoo. He was the first panda cub to survive there. He was also the third panda cub born in the United States.

Ms. Stevens became the main person to talk about Tai Shan. She shared fun stories about his early life. This made her very popular in interviews. She was even featured in TV shows. These included Animal Planet documentaries like A Panda is Born and Baby Panda's First Year.

Helping Animals and People

Lisa Stevens also helps with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. This plan helps protect endangered animals. It ensures they have healthy populations in zoos.

She also helped start an organization called Beads for Education, Inc. She is on its Board of Directors. This group helps fund education for over 300 girls in Kenya. It shows her dedication to helping both animals and people.