Genya Yerkes has been a member of the Key West Aquarium staff for almost 17 years.
Title: Assistant Curator/Operations Manager
- What brought you to Key West?
I originally moved here in the summer of 2000 to attend FKCC for their Marine Environmental Technology degree. I also started working for the aquarium that summer and it was my very first job in the zoological industry.
- What is your favorite sea animal? Why?
Eek! So many to choose from but my favorite would have to be the octopus. You only have a short time with them because of their short life span but their problem-solving skills are truly mind blowing. It’s fun to create puzzles and enrichment challenges for them. A close second would be giraffe; the time I spent with them at Busch Gardens was an amazing time in my career.
- What would be your ideal day out on the water?
Solid breeze, good friends, plentiful drinks, and good tunes.
- When did you first become interested in Marine Biology?
I can’t even remember when; anything to do with the water has always been a passion of mine. However, my love and respect for nature was instilled in me by my father.
- What do you enjoy most about the KWAQ?
I love that we are a piece of “Old Key West”; there aren’t many left so that truly provides a special experience for our guests.