Zookeeper-In-Chief? 15 Photos of Trump VP Candidate Newt Gingrich’s Totally Wild Animal Obsession

Newt Gingrich is apparently the frontrunner to be Donald Trump’s running mate on the Republican ticket in 2016. The former Speaker of the House would certainly be a charismatic choice.

Picking Newt could help Trump with at least one segment of the voting population: animal lovers. Few politicians are more passionate about cuddly creatures than Gingrich, as you can tell from all these photos.

Feeding a friend

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Jan 22, 2015 at 6:17pm PST

Lounging with lemurs

When you practice giving side-eye with your lemur friends. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Mar 10, 2016 at 5:29pm PST

Python pals

Larry King always surprising me with unannounced guests. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Dec 10, 2015 at 6:46pm PST

Awwwwww

Just two old pals hanging out. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Nov 12, 2015 at 5:21pm PST

He even pets the prickly ones

Casual day at the zoo. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Oct 1, 2015 at 7:07pm PDT

Trunkloads of fun

Happy #WorldElephantDay! 🐘

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Aug 12, 2015 at 3:02pm PDT

Think of all the zoos he’d be able to visit on the campaign trail

Happy National Zookeeper Week! Thanks to the many zookeepers who’ve entertained and educated me at #zoos around the world over the years.

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Jul 20, 2015 at 12:31pm PDT

Kitty kisses

Kitty kisses. #tbt #throwbackthursday #zoopics

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Feb 5, 2015 at 5:59pm PST

Cub hug

Cub hug. #tbt #throwbackthursday #truelove

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Oct 9, 2014 at 6:45pm PDT

Not all pork in government is bad

I love it when my friends stop by the office. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Aug 14, 2014 at 6:56pm PDT

TFW when you make a connection that transcends interspecies barriers

True love. #zoopics #tbt #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Mar 20, 2014 at 7:42pm PDT

He’s so full of love 

You so funny. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Oct 10, 2013 at 6:58pm PDT

No cage could keep me from you

Hello, friend. #tbt #throwbackthursday #koala #zoo

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Sep 26, 2013 at 7:53pm PDT

Hillary could never be this adorable

Just giving a friend a lift. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Apr 16, 2015 at 6:39pm PDT

Zookeeper-in-chief

Ellis the Elephant had trunkloads of fun meeting his new elephant pal, Kelly at @zooatl today. #besties

A post shared by Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) on Oct 18, 2014 at 5:04pm PDT

The animal kingdom loves him back.

Make it happen, Donald.