![TIME on X: "Mary J. Wilson began her zoo career at age 23 without formal training. Undeterred, she excelled at working with big mammals. Those close to her say her legacy is TIME on X: "Mary J. Wilson began her zoo career at age 23 without formal training. Undeterred, she excelled at working with big mammals. Those close to her say her legacy is](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eaoq4WoXkAINHbv.jpg)
TIME on X: "Mary J. Wilson began her zoo career at age 23 without formal training. Undeterred, she excelled at working with big mammals. Those close to her say her legacy is
![Mary J. Wilson, first African American senior zookeeper at the Baltimore Zoo, dies of the coronavirus Mary J. Wilson, first African American senior zookeeper at the Baltimore Zoo, dies of the coronavirus](https://blackfactsblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/blackfacts/facts/2020/09/7af2de0a-71fd-4336-8d28-c199a05f0947.jpg)
Mary J. Wilson, first African American senior zookeeper at the Baltimore Zoo, dies of the coronavirus
![Alec MacGillis on X: "Among the latest coronavirus victims: Mary J. Wilson, the first ever black senior zookeeper at the Baltimore zoo, who once managed to get an escaped jaguar back into Alec MacGillis on X: "Among the latest coronavirus victims: Mary J. Wilson, the first ever black senior zookeeper at the Baltimore zoo, who once managed to get an escaped jaguar back into](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZ2cSFnXsAUqFAm.jpg:large)
Alec MacGillis on X: "Among the latest coronavirus victims: Mary J. Wilson, the first ever black senior zookeeper at the Baltimore zoo, who once managed to get an escaped jaguar back into
![Wilson, Thomas T. and Mary J. - Interview and Memoir - Oral History Collection of the University of Illinois at Springfield - Illinois Digital Archives Wilson, Thomas T. and Mary J. - Interview and Memoir - Oral History Collection of the University of Illinois at Springfield - Illinois Digital Archives](http://www.idaillinois.org/iiif/2/uis:4572/full/730,/0/default.jpg)