Longtime Claremont resident Coralie “Corki” Szijj recently received a certificate of appreciation from the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden for more than 30 years of volunteer work.

The city of Los Angeles presented the distinction to Ms. Szijj for her 30 years of serving as a docent at the zoo. She was co-chairman of youth workshops, and helped to launch the zoo’s sunset safaris and sleep overs.

As a volunteer zoo keeper, Ms. Szijj worked in the elephant barn when Billy, the zoo’s star elephant, first arrived as a 4-year-old. She also worked in the zoo’s research department, and was very involved in chimpanzee research, as well as implementing an integrated pest management program for yellow jackets, which are a constant problem at zoos.

“I have loved my time at the zoo, and will continue to volunteer as long as I can,” Ms. Szijj said.