The keeper's name is Manu. He is short, very muscular, has a shaved head, and tattoos cover both arms and his neck. His job at the zoo: Big Cat Keeper.
Manu told me about his life outside the zoo, and how he used to fight a lot on the streets and be pretty confrontational. When he started at the zoo he used to work with other keepers, but it soon became clear that he didn't work well with others. He was banished (or so he tells it) to work by himself as the Polar Bear Keeper. He was surprised when he forged a strong bond with the only polar bear at the zoo, an older male named Nanook. He says he used to pet him on the nose and Nanook knew when Manu called his name. Unfortunately, Nanook died in late December 1995 from heart and lung disease. Manu visibly choked up when he told us that part of his tale. The zoo, knowing they had an extremely competent (if abrasive) keeper on their hands, transferred him to the big cats, where he became the lead keeper.
Now, Manu runs Big Cat Country, making sure all the cats - jaguars, white tigers, lions, cheetahs, pumas, and leopards - are happy and well-fed. He told me many stories, all of which were very exciting. Let me retell them:
Manu doesn't trust the jaguars, especially the female, Angel. She's very crafty and has actually escaped a couple times during zoo hours! Once, she launched herself through the small door at the top of her enclosure's cage roof after a junior keeper fed the jaguars through it. The junior keeper called Manu up the ladder, not telling him that Angel was loose. So Manu climbs the ladder and comes face to face with a jaguar! He calmly climbed down the ladder, and then told the two junior keepers that were still on the roof with Angel to choose - they could jump down and maybe break their legs, or stay up there and maybe lose their lives! Needless to say, they jumped and were fine (and they eventually re-caught Angel).
On the infrequent occasion that one of his charges does escape, Manu also has to deal with zoo guests. He told me of one time when Angel escaped (she's a troublemaker!) and how people wanted to go towards her enclosure to see her! Manu told them that if they wanted to get killed by a jaguar that was their choice, but would they please leave their children outside the zoo entrance.
He also told me a story about the African hunting dogs. Even though they're not big cats, Manu helps out all over the zoo. He and another keeper went into the hunting dogs enclosure to clean it. The male dogs thought they were infringing on their territory and their females, and moved in to attack. Manu and the other keeper managed to back away and out the door, but it was still an experience. Hunting dogs take their prey down by going for their legs first and ripping the muscles out. Then they move upwards, tearing out their victim's guts. And they hunt in packs!
Manu loves and respects all the big cats, and they respect him. He told me that the male lion, however, has a bit of a dominance issue. The lion thinks that Manu is trying to be the pride leader and steal his females, and doesn't like him too much. Manu said that if the lion were to escape, and he and I were standing next to each other directly in his path, I could feel perfectly safe because the lion would surely go for Manu. He joked (maybe) that he asked the other cat keepers to call him immediately if the lion escapes, even if he's at home, because he's sure the lion will come for him wherever he is.
Manu is so involved with the big cats that while he can name every single cat in the Singapore Zoo, he sometimes forgets family member's birthdays. But working with such deadly creatures has been a good thing for him. He says they keep him grounded and focused, and are excellent counselors. He plans on retiring soon but is worried that the next lead keeper won't measure up to his high standards. And while caring for the big cats does require a lot of attention, diligence, and knowing the big cats' every need, it also takes a good measure of confidence and bravery. So while the cats hold a special place in Manu's heart, he is definitely still one of the toughest guys in the zoo.