Alumna Interviewed by Today Show

Video screenshot and video courtesy of www.today.com.

The Today Show interviewed Zoological Manager Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, ’08 ΚΑΘ, on Jan. 5 about the elephants she cares for at the St. Louis Zoo in St. Louis, MO.

Today Show Correspondent Ron Mott talked to Pilgram-Kloppe about the weight issues of elephants in captivity and how St. Louis Zoo officials help the elephants ward off extra “junk in the trunk.” The segment focused on an automatic gravity feeder the St. Louis Zoo developed to help their nine elephants control their weight.

Pilgram-Kloppe, who majored in Biology and Educational Studies at Westminster, discussed how the elephants under her care exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. World-famous, 26-year-old bull elephant Raja is also featured in the story with Pilgram-Kloppe.

“It was a really fun experience getting to share with a wider audience what we do on a daily basis,” she says. In addition to elephants, Pilgram-Kloppe works with other larger mammals at the zoo.

Watch the Today Show segment here. Pilgram-Kloppe is featured at the 56-second mark, in a red jacket.

Sarah Rummel Backer

Sarah Rummel Backer is the Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A proud Westminster graduate, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications in the areas of higher education, medicine, agriculture, and the private business sector.