In the heart of Monroe, the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo hums with quiet life. The calls of parrotsecho over the water; peacocks strut near the walkways, and the scent of fresh hay lingers in the air. Families stroll through shaded trails, pointing out birds and monkeys while children lean over fences to get a closer look at their favorite animals. For generations, the zoo has been more than a local attraction—it has been a gathering place for the people of Monroe.

For zoo director Phillip Crawley, that connection is what makes his work meaningful. When asked what the zoo and the city meant to him, he paused before smiling.

“When I came back and took my job here, I never realized just how strong this community is,” Crawley said. “It is a wonderful thing to be part of.”

That sense of belonging extends far beyond the zoo’s gates. After the upcoming “Boo at the Zoo” event, Crawley and his team plan to bring some of the zoo animals to the Monroe Downtown Rivermarket as another way for residents to experience wildlife up close.

“We are taking some animals down to the Rivermarket to spend time with the kids,” Crawley said. “It is a great way to get out there, talk with families and help people see what the zoo is all about.”

Education remains at the center of everything the zoo does. Crawley said school visits and youth programs are about more than entertainment; they are a chance to teach respect to animals and the environment. When children can stand a few feet from a tiger or feed a parakeet, he explained; it changes how they see the natural world.

The zoo also plays a vital role in conservation and wildlife rescue. Crawley said they often work with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to care for native animals brought in from unsafe conditions.

Among the zoo’s most unique residents are its albino alligators, which have become a signature attraction.

“There are only about a hundred of them in captivity in the entire United States,” Crawley said. “Our zoo owns six—that is six percent of the whole population. It is something we are really proud of.”

Running such a facility takes both passion and precision. Crawley said balancing the zoo’s operations is like running a small city—every detail matters.

“You have to think about how long you can stay open, how to staff it and how to make sure everything stays up to standard,” he said. “It is about keeping the place running while still giving people the best experience possible.”

The zoo also provides opportunities for students from the University of Louisiana Monroe to gain real-world experience.

“We take in some nonpaying internships,” Crawley said. “I have a pre-vet student from ULM working with me right now. It is great experience for them and a huge help for us.”

For Crawley, those connections with students, families and visitors are what makes the job worthwhile.

“If someone leaves here with a smile and a little more respect for wildlife,” he said, “that is a good day.”

The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo remain a cornerstone of Monroe’s identity, offering locals a place to explore, learn and feel closer to nature. It is where the excitement of discovery meets the calm of the outdoors, and a space where a city and its wild heart meet.