Steve Koyle

Stephen Koyle has spent more than 30 years caring for animals.  He has spent the last 24 years specializing in elephant care. Throughout his career, Steve has traveled around the world inspiring future elephant keepers, zoo teens, animal rights activists, and zoo board members. His passion and work ethic have driven him to form Elephant Care Unchained, a 501c3 organization dedicated to eliminating cruelty and improving elephant welfare in their native countries.

Early in 2000, Steve began working at the Wildlife Waystation in Los Angeles, CA. There, he cared for numerous exotic animals, including Chimpanzees, Lions, and Tigers.  In March of 2002, Steve began working as an elephant keeper at the Phoenix Zoo. It was there that he began honing his skills as an elephant keeper.  In November 2004, while working at the Phoenix Zoo, Steve attended European Elephant Management School in Hamburg, Germany. In Feb 2011, Steve attended AZA's Principals of Elephant Management. He was an instructor for elephant care workshops at the Phoenix Zoo in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015.  Steve has become an expert and is highly respected for his knowledge of target training using positive reinforcement, facility design that supports elephant health, and proper elephant foot care.

Steve’s original conception of Elephant Care Unchained was born in early 2013 when he made his first trip to India as a skilled volunteer with Wildlife SOS. Wildlife SOS rescues all native Indian wildlife, including elephants. It was there that he learned about the cruel treatment of elephants in their native countries. The brutality that elephants endure daily was something Steve felt compelled to address. It was after this eye-opening experience that Steve decided to commit his life to improving elephants' lives globally.