LUTZ — Deborah Kern Bond stands before a room filled with 30 bright-eyed "students" at the Horizon Bay assisted living facility in Lutz.

They get excited as Bond shows off a nonvenomous 3-foot red rat snake and ask questions during her presentation about elephants. They smile while learning that pachyderms can detect rain from 150 miles away, live in herds ranging in size from three to 100 animals, and every day consume up to 400 pounds of food and 50 gallons of water.

The mood grows reverently somber when Bond tells the story of "elephant whisperer" Lawrence Anthony, a conservationist who studied elephants for years in Africa before dying in 2012 at the age of 61. Upon his death, the herd he helped rescue proceeded to his home on their own and stood vigil for two days, mourning the loss of their human friend.

"Don't let anyone ever tell you animals don't feel emotions," Bond tells the crowd.

After years of working as a zoologist at Busch Gardens, Bond, 66, transitioned to gerontology and now shares her wildlife experiences with seniors. Her passion for animals stirs a passion with the groups she addresses.

"We love her," says 84-year-old Marion Ettie Szurek, who was crowned Miss Florida Citrus in 1953 and now resides at Horizon Bay.

Szurek met actress Esther Williams and attended Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, but says knowing Bond ranks right up there with all of her experiences.

"She's so unique, and has great ideas and presentations."

Bond's career has been as wild as the animals she loves. She started at Busch Gardens in 1973 while majoring in zoology at the University of South Florida.

"I was hired as a monorail driver but applied for a job in the bird show after six months," she says. "That was my introduction to the zoo world."

The Thonotosassa resident looks back fondly at her 31-year career at Busch Gardens. Working in the park's animal nursery was a particularly exciting period for her. She also recalls her many encounters with Hollywood stars and music legends.

"I had a great opportunity to travel with animals to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," Bond said. "(I met) celebrities that would come into Busch (Gardens) and get behind-the-scenes tours, such as Marilyn Manson, John Schneider and Aerosmith."

While employed at Busch Gardens, she switched her major from zoology to gerontology, a move that proved useful in the more recent phase of her career.

"I was very interested not only in human aging, but also how different animals could live long, extended lives like elephants, parrots and giant tortoises," Bond said. "Other animals suffer from the same age-related changes we see in humans, such as arthritis in giraffes, obesity in sedentary animals, and loss of vision in parrots that are over 50 years old."

Upon receiving her certified nursing assistant license, Bond became an ALF activities director for five years before teaching memory care at Brookdale Senior Living. While brightening the day for everyone there, she also continues to work in wildlife rehabilitation and advocate for the environment.

"The most pressing wildlife conservation issue today is loss of habitat," she remarks. "Here in Florida there is a big problem with fragmentation of land, so wildlife cannot connect to other areas that have food, shelter, and mates. People should be concerned because we share this planet with other species and any loss of a species or plant can spell doom for us."

Bond loves sharing her conservation message with seniors, but also hopes to work with exceptional students in the Hillsborough school district.

Contact Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez at hillsnews@tampabay.com.