Gerry Creighton is an Irish elephant care consultant and bestselling author recognized for his book Raised by the Zoo (2023). For his presentations on elephant care, he has received two awards from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA).
Gerry Creighton grew up in Stoneybatter, Dublin. He attended Sparsholt College in Hampshire. His brother and his father have over more than 100 years of experience at Dublin Zoo between them. His father, Gerry Snr, was a general curator. "I don’t ever remember not being in the zoo," Gerry says.
His career began at Dublin Zoo in 1983 as a trainee keeper, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become a full-time zookeeper in 1986. Over his 37-year tenure at Dublin Zoo, Creighton became renowned for his work, especially with elephants, and served as Zoo Operations Manager for animals and grounds, starting in 2009.
Dublin Zoo, established in 1831, evolved significantly during Creighton's time, transforming into a modern conservation, education, and animal husbandry center. With over 25 years dedicated to elephant care and nearly 40 years of zoo experience, Creighton is a leading authority on elephant behavior, wellness, and welfare.
He has shared his knowledge through lectures at prestigious institutions like Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin and has been a vital educational resource at both secondary and tertiary levels in zoological animal husbandry.
Creighton has also taken his expertise worldwide, delivering keynote speeches across the UK, Europe, and the US on elephant wellness in human care.
In 2020, Creighton launched his consultancy business, advising zoos and wildlife parks globally, including in the U.S.A., China, Israel, Europe, and the UK. His projects include working with Melbourne Zoo, Australia, on developing state-of-the-art facilities for elephants and consulting on Cincinnati Zoo's More Home to Roam project, a significant development for a multi-generational herd of Asian elephants.
Gerry Creighton has also contributed to the UK Government's Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs review on elephant welfare.
Raised by the Zoo is Creighton's autobiographical account of his life and career dedicated to elephant care. The book reflects on how elephants, with their complex interactions and familial structures, have taught him profound lessons about humanity.
Gerry Creighton lives in Dublin with his family.
Photo credit: FB @Gerry Creighton
