Lana Gonzalez
Manager, Sea Otters and Penguins
With 20 years of experience working with Shedd’s marine mammals, Lana Gonzalez oversees the caretakers for sea otters and penguins.
Education
B.S. Biology, Olivet Nazarene University
“Caring for some of the most charismatic animals, I hope they serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts and inspire people to learn more and take action to protect aquatic life.”
While Lana Gonzalez has cared for a variety of marine mammals in the Oceanarium, she now oversees the caretakers for the sea otters and penguins at Shedd. The rescued California and Alaskan sea otters eat up to 25% of their body weight (10-15 pounds of sustainable seafood) every day, receive several animal care sessions to keep them physically active and mentally stimulated daily and more. Gonzalez and her team have been part of several otter pup arrivals that require around-the-clock care, as well as helping pups learn essential skills like grooming, foraging and more. In addition, the team oversees the care and welfare for around 40 Magellanic and rockhopper penguins in the Polar Play Zone. This oversight is throughout their annual life cycle of nesting and breeding season to chick rearing to molting feathers for the colony. Through on-site and virtual programming, Gonzalez has a passion for seeing her team connect our guests with the animals to look nature in the eye and inspire them to make a difference for the aquatic animal world.