Contractors working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District install a 23-foot-tall concrete shaft enclosure weighing approximately 120,000 pounds as part of the guard wall at the Monongahela River Locks and Dam 4 in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, Nov. 16, 2023.

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A life with the critters: Former ‘tiger queen’ fulfills her love for animals with career as park ranger

Pittsburgh District
Published July 27, 2022
Updated: July 27, 2022
Karen Osler, park ranger, driving a boat with sun and clouds reflecting off the windshield

Karen Osler (left), a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, drives a boat with Sam Phillips and Shaylin Dresher, summer rangers, at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Part of Osler’s responsibilities is to monitor and enforce water safety on the lake. “As a ranger, you come to work every day to something you’re excited about. It keeps me stimulated,” Osler said. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District

Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, displays a photo of her younger self with a lion during her time working as a big cat handler in her current office at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler worked as a big cat handler at the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage for 15 years, which rescued exotic animals, such as tigers, lions, bobcats, cougars, leopards and more. Osler has wanted to work with animals her whole life. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District

Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, helps a fawn cross the road after watching it fall down and struggling to get up at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania. While on patrol, Osler yielded as a doe crossed the road in front of her. The doe was being followed by her new determined yet uncoordinated fawn. As she was crossing the roadway, the fawn fell down in the middle of the road. Mom was frantically trying to get her fawn up. Osler pulled over, picked her up, and carried her away from the road and into the safety of the forest. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Karen Osler)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District

Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, displays a photo of her younger self with a lion during her time working as a big cat handler in her current office at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler worked as a big cat handler at the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage for 15 years, which rescued exotic animals, such as tigers, lions, bobcats, cougars, leopards and more. Osler has wanted to work with animals her whole life. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District

Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, dries off Cheeto, her miniature horse at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District

Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, dries off Cheeto, her miniature horse at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler will use the stack of wooden pallets to rebuild and expand parts of the aged fencing in her hobby farm she built for her critters. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District

Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, brushes Cheeto, her minatory horse, after giving him a bath at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler is wearing a ring with four engraved horses she had commissioned specifically for her mother, Connie, who adored horses and considered them her spirit animal. The four horses represent Osler’s family, including her mother, father and brother, all of whom passed away. Osler learned to love and care for animals from her mother, whom she considers her best friend. Before she declined in health, Connie ran a nonprofit animal rescue shelter called Animal Angels from her home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District

Suzie Johnson, an avid animal lover and caregiver, helps her friend, Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, load Jaxx, a four horn Jacob ram, into the car from a veterinarian appointment in Stoytown, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District

Cheeto, a minatory horse, starts drinking water from a hose to avoid getting sprayed in the face while being washed by Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler washes Cheeto and some of her other animals monthly. Cheeto rolled around the dirt immediately after his bath. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, picks up Jaxx, a four horn Jacob ram, from a veterinarian appointment in Stoytown, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, sits with her sheep while they eat in a barn she built at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler said sheep are misunderstood animals. “I was originally not interested in owning sheep. I thought they were dumb and high maintenance. Now, it’s true they are high maintenance, but they’re actually quite smart, and they have personalities out the Ying Yang.” (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, throws a hay bale to feed her critters at home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler’s love for animals encouraged her to become a park ranger to preserve wildlife and protect natural resources at Youghiogheny River Lake. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, sits in the backseat with Jaxx, a four horn Jacob ram, to drive him to a veterinarian appointment from her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler set in the back with Jaxx to keep him calm and prevent him from ramming his horn through her friend’s car windows. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, carries Buster, an American black belly ram cross with a Katahdin, into the backseat of a friend’s car to take him to the veterinarian in southwestern Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler and her friend drove multiple trips back and forth to the veterinarian office because not all the critters fit in one car. Each drive took approximately 45 minutes, which meant Osler spent the entire morning with the help of a friend to complete the appointments. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, walks with Linda Lou, a Hampshire sheep, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Linda Lou was rescued by a young man who purchased her from a butcher as she was being unloaded at a slaughterhouse. He bought her out of kindness, and Osler offered Linda Lou a home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Jaxx, a four horn Jacob ram, and Benny, a miniature donkey, beg for candy from their owner, Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. The animals often follow Osler around the hobby farm even when she’s not carrying any food, but they are especially attentive when she holds a bag of jellybeans. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, walks around the yard which she has turned into a hobby farm for her critters at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. The animals often follow Osler around the “farmette” even when she’s not carrying any food or treats. Osler has 15 animals in total, including four indoor cats. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, holds Bubba, her American black belly ram cross with Katahdin, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Bubba has a twin brother, Buster, from which he is almost indistinguishable to most people, but Osler can tell them apart immediately just by the pattern of white fur on their heads. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, washes Jaxx, her four horn Jacob ram, after shearing him at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, washes Jaxx, her four horn Jacob ram, after shearing him at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler gives each animal the care and attention they need, which requires shearing each sheep annually, and clipping hooves and washing other animals monthly. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Jasmine, a Jacob black mountain sheep, stands in the doorway of a gate and fence built by Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler built all of the fencing and barns on her backyard “farmette,” and she is in the process of rebuilding some of the older fences and expand the space for her critters. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, scratches and comforts Jaxx, her four horn Jacob ram, after shearing him at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Because of his four horns and his very deep voice, Jaxx can have an intimidating impression when people first meet him. Jaxx is tame compared to most rams, and Osler sometimes refers to him as, “The best boy.” (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, shears Jaxx, her four horn Jacob ram, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler is an avid animal lover, an aspect she enjoys about being a park ranger because it allows her to interact with wildlife at work. At home, she cares for what she calls her “critters,” which include different farm animals. Her sheep require annual shearing, while other animals require monthly upkeep. “Some people think they’re extra work, but to me, they enrich me. Just like having dogs, or any other pet, when I get home, they’re super excited to see me,” Osler said. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, shears Jaxx, her four horn Jacob ram, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler said she cares about and shares an understanding for all animals. Although much of her professional animal experience dealt with big cats and other exotic creatures, she developed a liking for hooved and wooled animals over time. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Jaxx is a four-horn Jacob ram, who lives in a hobby farm managed by Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler, park ranger, with a bear
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Karn Osler, a park ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, poses with a bear during a public interactive event at Youghiogheny River Lake. The bear had been known for his sweet tooth. It had ravaged a homeowner’s private beehive and devoured his honey. Pennsylvania Wildlife Conservations officers caught the bear twice using donuts as bait. On the second capture, Osler worked with the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission to stage the bear – who remained safely tranquilized inside a bear trap – as part of a live, interactive demonstration to inform visitors about bear-human interactions. Officers later released the bear about 100 miles away to another game land to avoid future conflict. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by staff)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, displays a photo of her younger self with a lion during her time working as a big cat handler in her current office at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler worked as a big cat handler at the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage for 15 years, which rescued exotic animals, such as tigers, lions, bobcats, cougars, leopards and more. Osler has wanted to work with animals her whole life. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler (left), a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, drives a boat with Sam Phillips and Shaylin Dresher, summer rangers, at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Part of Osler’s responsibilities is to monitor and enforce water safety on the lake. “As a ranger, you come to work every day to something you’re excited about. It keeps me stimulated,” Osler said. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, pauses to fuel up a park ranger truck during her morning runs at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. The lake is more than 16 miles long at summer pool, and park rangers at Youghiogheny spend a good portion of their day visiting and inspecting different sites, including two campgrounds, a beach, several boat launches and other lands leased out to the state or other partners. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, displays a photo of her younger self with a lion during her time working as a big cat handler in her current office at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler worked as a big cat handler at the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage for 15 years, which rescued exotic animals, such as tigers, lions, bobcats, cougars, leopards and more. Osler has wanted to work with animals her whole life. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler (right), a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, switches seats with a volunteer camp host at the Mill Run Campground in Maryland, July 14, 2022. Osler is in charge of the volunteer program for Youghiogheny River Lake and was showing the volunteer how to operate an electric vehicle provided for her official use. Each camp host volunteers for a month or longer during the summer to help with the upkeep of two campgrounds operated by the Army Corps staff. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, displays a photo of her younger self with a lion during her time working as a big cat handler in her current office at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler worked as a big cat handler at the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage for 15 years, which rescued exotic animals, such as tigers, lions, bobcats, cougars, leopards and more. Osler has wanted to work with animals her whole life. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, holds Riley, an eastern black rat snake she rescued while it was crossing a road at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Riley is a very calm snake, and she often introduces him to school kids and visitors during her weekly educational presentations. She knows a lot of people are “freaked out” by snakes, so bringing a snake like Riley helps alleviate some of those fears. Osler enjoys educating people on the impact humans have on animal habitats and the environment. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
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Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, gives affection to Benny, a miniature donkey, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler shows tenderness to all animals, whether taking care of them at the hobby farm or coming across them at work in the natural habitat at the Youghiogheny River Lake. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Jaxx is a four-horn Jacob ram, who lives in a hobby farm managed by Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-1487

PITTSBURGH – Meeting Jaxx for the first time can be an intimidating experience.

His four horns curve in big swoops. The top ones arch back toward his neck. The two lower horns hook forward like pinchers, reaching below his chin. He resembles a creature you might find in a fantasy novel, not in someone’s backyard. When he bleats, his voice sounds like the deep belch of someone finishing a heavy, satisfying meal.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, scratches and comforts Jaxx, her four horn Jacob ram, after shearing him at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Because of his four horns and his very deep voice, Jaxx can have an intimidating impression when people first meet him. Jaxx is tame compared to most rams, and Osler sometimes refers to him as, “The best boy.” (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-2824

“You’re the best boy, huh, Jaxx?” Karen Osler called to him, her four-horn Jacob ram, as she approached the fence. The warmth and charm in her voice is the same you might hear in a cat or dog lover getting ready to rub bellies or scratch furry backs.

Benny, the donkey, and Cheeto, the miniature horse, also approached Osler, stretching their necks over the wire fence to nuzzle their way for her affection.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, holds Bubba, her American black belly ram cross with Katahdin, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Bubba has a twin brother, Buster, from which he is almost indistinguishable to most people, but Osler can tell them apart immediately just by the pattern of white fur on their heads. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-3920

All in all, Osler owns and cares for 16 animals on her property in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. She refers to them lovingly as her “critters” – always critters, not farm animals or pets – when talking about her furry and wooly family members. Her crew of critters also includes a pig, several adult sheep, two ram lambs and four house cats. Most of her critters are rescues. One of her sheep was purchased by a stranger who saved her from a butcher. Another sheep was brought in from a petting zoo because she needed around-the-clock care. She also just added a three-legged sheep.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, walks with Linda Lou, a Hampshire sheep, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Linda Lou was rescued by a young man who purchased her from a butcher as she was being unloaded at a slaughterhouse. He bought her out of kindness, and Osler offered Linda Lou a home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220715-A-TI382-0328

“Some people think they’re just extra work, but to me, they enrich me. Just like having dogs, or any other pet, when I get home, they’re super excited to see me,” Osler said.

The critters follow Osler around her hobby farm, even when she’s not carrying any food or jellybeans, which are one of their favorite treats.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, walks around the yard which she has turned into a hobby farm for her critters at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. The animals often follow Osler around the “farmette” even when she’s not carrying any food or treats. Osler has 15 animals in total, including four indoor cats. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-4200

Osler surrounds herself with animals both at home and at work. In the office, Osler introduces visitors to Riley, an eastern black snake she caught while he was crossing the road. Riley’s eyes turned gray and hazy while in the process of shedding. As she picked him up, he was in a vulnerable stage, she said, and yet he curled to embrace Osler’s touch as she reached for him.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, holds Riley, an eastern black rat snake she rescued while it was crossing a road at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Riley is a very calm snake, and she often introduces him to school kids and visitors during her weekly educational presentations. She knows a lot of people are “freaked out” by snakes, so bringing a snake like Riley helps alleviate some of those fears. Osler enjoys educating people on the impact humans have on animal habitats and the environment. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-0275

“He’s a very chill snake,” she said, which makes Riley great to show to kids and adults alike. “I know a lot of people get freaked out by snakes but bringing a calm snake like Riley in front of visitors really helps alleviate some of those fears.”

Professionally, Osler serves as a park ranger at Youghiogheny River Lake, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District. The lake is a reservoir that provides flood protection for the Youghiogheny and lower Monongahela River valleys.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, displays a photo of her younger self with a lion during her time working as a big cat handler in her current office at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler worked as a big cat handler at the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage for 15 years, which rescued exotic animals, such as tigers, lions, bobcats, cougars, leopards and more. Osler has wanted to work with animals her whole life. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-0645

“I get to protect and look out for our natural resources to enjoy for future generations to come,” Osler said about her role as a park ranger. She helps preserve life both on and around the lake, as well as downstream.

Educating the public about the wildlife at Youghiogheny is just a small part of her job. Youghiogheny River Lake stretches for approximately 16 miles. Osler and her fellow rangers oversee and protect more than 3,900 acres of land and water. Their job comes with a rolodex of responsibilities, from enforcing water safety on the lake to maintaining peace and quiet at the campgrounds and assist visitors.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler (left), a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, drives a boat with Sam Phillips and Shaylin Dresher, summer rangers, at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Part of Osler’s responsibilities is to monitor and enforce water safety on the lake. “As a ranger, you come to work every day to something you’re excited about. It keeps me stimulated,” Osler said. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-1104

“As a ranger, you come to work every day to something you’re excited about. It keeps me stimulated,” Osler said.

But above all, Osler said she is “drawn toward the critters.”

Rescuing and helping animals are regular occurrences in Osler’s workweek. While on patrol one day, she stopped her ranger truck to watch a doe crossing the street with her fawn. The fawn struggled to keep up, and it collapsed in the middle of the road. Osler waited, but she realized the baby wasn’t going to make it on its own strength.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters:
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, helps a fawn cross the road after watching it fall down and struggling to get up at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania. While on patrol, Osler yielded as a doe crossed the road in front of her. The doe was being followed by her new determined yet uncoordinated fawn. As she was crossing the roadway, the fawn fell down in the middle of the road. Mom was frantically trying to get her fawn up. Osler pulled over, picked her up, and carried her away from the road and into the safety of the forest. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Karen Osler)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220727-A-XX123-0001

A vehicle might hit the fawn if she left it there, so Osler stepped out of her truck. She lifted the fawn over to the other side of the road, where the mother watched and awaited her baby’s rescue.

Osler also helps tortoises and sometimes injured critters cross the road, and at times she helps rehome kittens and other pets abandoned at the lake by neglectful owners.

The largest animal she encountered on Youghiogheny property was a black bear. The bear had been known for his sweet tooth. It had ravaged a homeowner’s private beehive and devoured his honey. Pennsylvania Wildlife Conservations officers caught the bear twice using donuts as bait.

Karen Osler, park ranger, with a bear
A life with the critters
Karn Osler, a park ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, poses with a bear during a public interactive event at Youghiogheny River Lake. The bear had been known for his sweet tooth. It had ravaged a homeowner’s private beehive and devoured his honey. Pennsylvania Wildlife Conservations officers caught the bear twice using donuts as bait. On the second capture, Osler worked with the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission to stage the bear – who remained safely tranquilized inside a bear trap – as part of a live, interactive demonstration to inform visitors about bear-human interactions. Officers later released the bear about 100 miles away to another game land to avoid future conflict. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by staff)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220727-A-XX123-0002

On the second capture, Osler worked with the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission to stage the bear – who remained safely tranquilized inside a bear trap – as part of a live, interactive demonstration to inform visitors about bear-human interactions. Officers later released the bear about 100 miles away to another game land to avoid future conflict.

The bear encounter brought full circle Osler’s animal experience with large critters. Before becoming a park ranger, she worked as a big cat handler for 15 years up close with lions, tigers, and other exotic animals.

She was 12 years old when she first interacted with a 700-pound Bengal tiger who needed a surgical procedure to remove an infected claw. Osler was a volunteer at a veterinary practice. The tiger’s name was Cody, the mascot for Exxon gasoline commercials and advertising. That experience hooked her into working with large cats.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, displays a photo of her younger self with a lion during her time working as a big cat handler in her current office at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler worked as a big cat handler at the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage for 15 years, which rescued exotic animals, such as tigers, lions, bobcats, cougars, leopards and more. Osler has wanted to work with animals her whole life. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-0006

Osler’s coworkers sometimes jokingly call her the Tiger Queen or the Lion Queen because of her background, but those titles are more ferocious than her gentle personality demonstrates.

“As sensitive as she is to animals, she’s also very sensitive and caring to humans,” said Matt Balas, a fellow park ranger at the lake. “She makes you feel like you are absolutely a valued human and where you’re supposed to be on the ranger team.”

Even though Osler is not officially in a leadership position, she invests time mentoring and teaching younger rangers.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, displays a photo of her younger self with a lion during her time working as a big cat handler in her current office at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler worked as a big cat handler at the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage for 15 years, which rescued exotic animals, such as tigers, lions, bobcats, cougars, leopards and more. Osler has wanted to work with animals her whole life. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-1442

“Karen is always there for advice,” said Balas, who, even though younger in age, has almost as much park ranger experience as Osler. “If I have anything that I need to ask, or even if I think I’m confident on a decision, I still look to Karen for her thoughts.”

Balas refers to Osler as an “encyclopedia of animalia,” which comes in very handy in their line of work, he said.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, washes Jaxx, her four horn Jacob ram, after shearing him at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-3433

Osler inherited her love for animals from her mother, Connie.

“She was my best friend,” Osler said of her mom. “She was very kind towards people and animals alike. She would do anything and drop everything to help animals in need.”

Osler wears a ring with four engraved horses she had commissioned specifically for her mother, who adored horses and considered them her spirit animal. The four horses represent Osler’s family, including her mother, father and brother, all of whom have passed away.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, brushes Cheeto, her minatory horse, after giving him a bath at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler is wearing a ring with four engraved horses she had commissioned specifically for her mother, Connie, who adored horses and considered them her spirit animal. The four horses represent Osler’s family, including her mother, father and brother, all of whom passed away. Osler learned to love and care for animals from her mother, whom she considers her best friend. Before she declined in health, Connie ran a nonprofit animal rescue shelter called Animal Angels from her home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220715-A-TI382-2805

Before she declined in health, Connie ran a nonprofit animal rescue shelter called Animal Angels from her home. Osler lives in the same home where she grew up, so she cannot remember a moment in life when animals weren’t around.

“My whole life has revolved around animals,” she said. “Animals bring me peace and joy. They enrich my life in so many ways. They also remind me of my mother.”

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Cheeto, a minatory horse, starts drinking water from a hose to avoid getting sprayed in the face while being washed by Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler washes Cheeto and some of her other animals monthly. Cheeto rolled around the dirt immediately after his bath. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220715-A-TI382-2688

Cheeto, the miniature horse who shares a fenced pen with Bennie, the donkey, Penelope, the mini pig, and Jaxx, used to belong to Osler’s mother. He, too, was a rescue. Osler built the fence and barn to care for him in the backyard.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, dries off Cheeto, her miniature horse at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler will use the stack of wooden pallets to rebuild and expand parts of the aged fencing in her hobby farm she built for her critters. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220715-A-TI382-2958

“This is how my hobby farm was born,” she said, who built and grew the hobby farm as more critters joined the family.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Jasmine, a Jacob black mountain sheep, stands in the doorway of a gate and fence built by Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler built all of the fencing and barns on her backyard “farmette,” and she is in the process of rebuilding some of the older fences and expand the space for her critters. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-2920

As a young girl, Osler had multiple career ambitions related to wildlife. She wanted to become a marine biologist, a veterinarian, a wildlife preservation professional, a wildlife artist, and a park ranger. As she volunteered and later worked as a caretaker for the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage, Osler was able to satisfy all those ambitions, except one.

“I wanted to achieve a lifelong dream of being a park ranger,” she said, but working with exotic cats satisfied her. She even painted wildlife portraits which sold at fundraising auctions to support the orphanage.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, displays a photo of her younger self with a lion during her time working as a big cat handler in her current office at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. Osler worked as a big cat handler at the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage for 15 years, which rescued exotic animals, such as tigers, lions, bobcats, cougars, leopards and more. Osler has wanted to work with animals her whole life. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-0216

Years later, however, the wildlife orphanage closed. Osler was devastated. Without another animal career to fall into, she took advice from her mentors and enrolled in college hoping for new opportunities. She pursued a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. In one of her classes, she met Paige Lupyan, a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They became good friends, and Osler was thrilled when she heard Paige was a park ranger.

“I was kind of like, ‘What! Are you kidding me?’ I really had no idea that opportunities like that even existed near me,” Osler said.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, pauses to fuel up a park ranger truck during her morning runs at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022. The lake is more than 16 miles long at summer pool, and park rangers at Youghiogheny spend a good portion of their day visiting and inspecting different sites, including two campgrounds, a beach, several boat launches and other lands leased out to the state or other partners. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-0796

The Pittsburgh District operates 16 reservoirs throughout western Pennsylvania and in a few neighboring states. Each reservoir employs park rangers, offering Osler opportunities within an hour from home. Other park rangers who work with Osler think this career choice was a perfect match for her.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler (right), a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, switches seats with a volunteer camp host at the Mill Run Campground in Maryland, July 14, 2022. Osler is in charge of the volunteer program for Youghiogheny River Lake and was showing the volunteer how to operate an electric vehicle provided for her official use. Each camp host volunteers for a month or longer during the summer to help with the upkeep of two campgrounds operated by the Army Corps staff. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220714-A-TI382-0587

“This job was made for Karen. Karen was born, and the Army was like, ‘Let’s make a park ranger job for her,’” joked Sam Phillips, a summer ranger at Youghiogheny who has known Osler for years. “She loves this job. She lives for this job.”

Being a park ranger is one of the jobs she’s wanted to have ever since she was a little girl, and it’s now a career she intends to keep until she retires.

“I’m blessed to earn a living doing a job that I love. I’m very fortunate to be where I am,” she said.

Karen Osler is an animal lover and a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
A life with the critters
Karen Osler, a park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, gives affection to Benny, a miniature donkey, at her home in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2022. Osler shows tenderness to all animals, whether taking care of them at the hobby farm or coming across them at work in the natural habitat at the Youghiogheny River Lake. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Photo By: Michel Sauret
VIRIN: 220715-A-TI382-3522


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