Meet Sonries – Chapter 3: The People Behind the Paws 

October 8, 2026

Meet the Team

Sonries may be the star of the jaguar habitat, but the rhythm of his day is shaped by the steady, attentive work of the people who know him best. Happy Hollow’s jaguar care team includes Senior Zookeepers Melissa and Alison, Veterinary Technician Rachel, specially trained zookeepers, and contracted veterinarians. Together, they’re learning who Sonries is, one thoughtful interaction at a time.

Keeping Sonries Curious

Each morning begins with a simple check‑in that tells the team how he is feeling and what kind of day he might have. Like many big cats, Sonries wakes up on his own terms. His zookeepers know right away whether he is ready for the morning. If he’s still easing into the day, he’ll pretend not to notice anyone at all. But once he’s ready? He’ll let his eyes do the talking, following the zookeepers’ movements with subtle, slow blinks of acknowledgment.

By late morning, usually around 11 a.m., Sonries is fully active. He’ll explore his habitat, investigate enrichment and seek out the pieces of his diet that zookeepers hide for him to encourage natural hunting behaviors. Once he’s nabbed every last snack, he settles into one of his favorite relaxation spots. Guests might find him stretched along the big central redwood ramp, perched in the tree, or snoozing on the rock ledge to the right. His days flow between curiosity and calm, a happy sign that he’s growing comfortable in his new home.

Building Trust, One Interaction at a Time

All training with Sonries begins with relationship‑building. Senior Zookeepers Melissa and Alison spend quiet, low‑pressure time near him while offering goat’s milk, which is one of his absolute favorite treats. These simple moments build the trust that makes future training possible.

During more structured sessions, Sonries practices helpful husbandry behaviors like presenting each paw, sitting, lying down, following a target, opening his mouth, and standing. These cues help make daily health and wellness care predictable and safe for both him and his team.

A recent milestone has meant a lot to the team. Sonries has begun choosing to leave his perch in the habitat and walk over to participate in training. In the past, he stayed where he was and observed from a distance. His choice to approach shows growing confidence and interest in working with his zookeepers.

Learning to Speak Jaguar

Sonries is excellent at making his preferences known. When he enjoys something, he becomes fully engaged and active, whether he is interacting with an enrichment item or spending time with his zookeepers. When he would rather skip an activity, like many other cats, he’ll completely ignore you and go on about his own business. His choices help guide each zookeeper’s approach for the rest of the day.

Comfort, for Sonries, can show up in wonderfully unexpected ways. When he feels safe, he’ll roll onto his back and show his stomach. This is an incredibly vulnerable posture for any cat, and one his zookeepers recognize as a sign of deep trust.

Once he comes inside his night house for the evening, his energy often ramps up. He becomes eager to train, sometimes offering behaviors before he’s even asked. These enthusiastic moments tell the team he’s ready for new challenges and excited to participate.

Every Jaguar Is an Individual

As time goes on, more of Sonries’ personality is shining through. Senior Zookeeper Melissa describes him as very smart and very playful, especially once he trusts someone. His personality shows up in small decisions throughout the day. The team pays attention to these details and adapts his care based on what he communicates.

Favorite Zookeeper Moment

One of Zookeeper Melissa’s favorite moments with Sonries came during scent enrichment with Calvin Klein’s “Obsession” cologne (a popular scent amongst Jaguars for its key ingredient that mimics the natural pheromone of the African civet). After a small spill of the cologne in his night house, Sonries ran outside, then quickly returned to roll in the scent. Later, he found the log where more cologne had been applied. For nearly ten minutes, he rubbed his face on it, straddled it, and licked the wood with total enthusiasm. It was a joyful, expressive burst of personality that left the whole team smiling.

Growing Together Through Care

Sonries’ journey at Happy Hollow is still unfolding, and every day reveals something new. Each behavior, milestone and playful moment helps shape the bond he’s building with his care team. We can’t wait to share more stories as he continues to grow and thrive in his new home.

Follow Along 

This is Chapter 3 of the Meet Sonries series. 

Learn more by reading Chapter 1 and Chapter 2

Meet Sonries: Chapter 4 coming soon