A new chapter begins for Manhattan’s local wildlife conservation site, the Sunset Zoo. This phase promises high-level science and community connection, with the new director, Kaleigh Reyes, at the helm.
Reyes has studied primatology, the scientific study of non-human primates, for 12 years, teaching at universities across the United States for the past eight.
Growing up in a very small Indiana town, Reyes’ only way to work was to be with animals. Since then, she has wanted to understand animals, and discovered the field of primatology at Indiana University. Reyes completed her Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Toronto with a focus in primatology and specialization in great ape cognition, welfare and behavior.
“I dearly appreciate that primatology has very strong ethical and welfare guidelines when it comes to scientific research with primates,” Reyes said. “As animal welfare and ethical compliance are core values of mine, it was an immediate fit. Biological anthropology is a fascinating field, and we [primatology] owe our placement within the field of anthropology thanks to Jane Goodall, who originally studied chimpanzees in Gombe [Tanzania] under Louis Leakey, an anthropologist.”
Stepping into this new role as director, Reyes is excited to build upon the legacy of Sunset Zoo while bringing in her own research-driven perspective.
“Even though I long served in the academia sector, it’s been my dream to be a zoo director,” she said. “When I saw an opening at Sunset Zoo, a Midwest institution, along with a population of chimpanzees, my specialty, I knew it could be the right fit for me.”
This is the first time in history that there has been a female Zoo Trust President (Linda Wassberg), a female Friends of Sunset Zoo President (Sarah Hancock) and a female director, Reyes herself. Her new role also comes with the job of continuing the mission of Scott Shoemaker, who was the director at Sunset Zoo for 29 years before retiring in December 2025.
“Mr. Shoemaker is a legend at Sunset,” Reyes said. “No one could replace the years of dedicated service provided by my predecessor. I aim to honor his commitment to service, community and to animal welfare by continuing his ideology through the Sunset Zoo’s mission to inspire conservation of the natural world.”
Due to her experience as both a student and professor, Reyes has a special place in her heart for small college towns like Manhattan. She said Manhattan reminds her of Bloomington, Indiana, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree.
“There really is a warm, special magic to a small Midwest college town that’s really hard to re-create anywhere else,” she said.
Her passion for animals and teaching others has inspired her to engage the K-State community by offering more hands-on experience at the zoo for all majors.
“I’m excited to collaborate with professors across departments to offer in-the-field, hands-on training for their students and their own projects,” Reyes said. “I would love to develop a robust partnership with the business school, allowing their students to develop their skills at our zoo.”
As Reyes settles into her new role, she feels that by understanding the inner lives of primates, she is able to improve their environments. She believes that this understanding of not only primates, but all animals, is critical for developing new enclosures.
“All animals have unique needs as far as substrate, locomotion, enrichment items and sizing requirements,” she said. “For these needs, we have AZA requirements to guide our design. For primates, particularly, they’re strong and highly social. Thus, primates exhibit [a] need [for] very strong materials — think steel — and room for social interaction.”
Beyond the zoo, Reyes is eager to call the Little Apple her new home. Her expectations for herself will truly impact the environment of not only Sunset Zoo, but the Manhattan community as well.
Reyes encourages the city of Manhattan to reach out to her directly at Kaleigh.reyes@cityofmhk.com if they are interested in collaborating with the zoo this upcoming spring.
“I am endlessly excited about the opportunities to serve the Manhattan community. I look forward to serving our animals and our outstanding employees at Sunset,” Reyes said.
