Dan Koehl

[1] Dan Koehl was born 28 October 1959 in Stockholm, Sweden, the fifth child of parents Gösta Köhl (1916–1996), Swedish engineer and Margot Nordholm (1922–2006).

He studied zookeeping at Enskede gårds gymnasium, besides higher education at Stockholm University and Calle Flygare Teaterskola.

Koehl began his career in aquarium and zoo-shops, and as commissioned shepherd for the Royal Herd of Sheep at Gärdet in Stockholm.

[2][3][4] Since the late 1970s, Dan Koehl has served as head elephant keeper, stable master (Equerry) and consultant at zoos, circuses and ranches around the world.

[16][17] Koehl has served as board of director for Elefanten-Schutz Europa, as Chairperson for the Swedish organisation Defend the elephants[18] and the Swedish National Union of Aquaristic Societies (SARF),[19][20] and as Web developer created websites for enterprises like Tropicarium Kolmården,[21] and ImageWare Austria.

Dan Koehl with father Gösta Köhl outside Skansen Zoo, Stockholm (1964).
Dan Koehl with Director Dr Helmut Pechlaner and Curator Dr Kurt Kolar at Tiergarten Schönbrunn , Austria (1998)
Dan Koehl in maharaja clothing at Cirkus Krone , Germany (2001).
Dan Koehl with elephants "Saonoi" and "Bua", donated to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden by King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand , in Kolmården Wildlife Park (2008).