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My name is Deb and I am a passionate biologist committed to advocating for animals in care by promoting best husbandry. Animal care is an art that balances natural history, observational skills, an understanding of behavior, and the ability to be humble enough to recognize, none of that may matter.

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I have twenty+ years of professional husbandry experience both in the private sector and within professional organizations such as AZA. Currently, I am a full-time curator in an accredited facility, responsible for co-managing large multi-taxa exhibits and a team of biologists. Although my experience is with all taxa, my professional focus has been on small mammals and avian husbandry as well as innovative approaches to animal behavior.

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In addition to my full-time job as a curator, I own and operate an LLC, The Educated Zookeeper. Funds from the Educated Zookeeper support my passion project, the Science of Sloths, which helps Choloepus spp. outside of home countries in need, regardless of their professional affiliation or ability to pay. 

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Through Educated Zookeeper, I am available to lead workshops, assess plans to retrofit exhibits or create new builds, provide interim husbandry support, and develop collection plans. Common problems addressed through consultative services include moving animals to/from the exhibit easily, removing ill animals, the inability to retrieve offspring, and interpreting social behavior to prevent premature deaths. Consultative services may also include reproduction, training, recall behavior planning, and collection planning.

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Best, Deb