Adam Felts
Current Employer: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Position: Head Keeper Mainland Asia Current
Previous IRKA involvement or Board experience:
I have been fortunate and been involved with the BOD since its inception
in 2006. The Columbus Zoo, along with Cincinnati and the Wilds,
hosted the Rhino Keeper Workshop in 2005 which was also the time
we began this venture. I have also been the president from 2006-present.
We have a wonderful group of people that work very well together
and it has been an experience of a lifetime.
Why do you want to be part of the IRKA Board?
I would like to continue to be involved with the IRKA BOD to not
only increase my knowledge and experiences but to assist in increasing
the knowledge of rhino keepers and advancements of rhinos in captivity.
What specific qualifications would you bring to the Board
of Directors?
Being involved in the IRKA as President I feel can utilize my knowledge
and expertise about this organization to benefit the organization
by actively leading and participating in Board discussion(s) and
activities. I feel that I can continue to play a key role in the
organization by working with this team and ensuring we continue
to move forward. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati, and
the Wild's hosted the 2005 workshop which gives me insight on how
to continue and enhance the workshops, which is a primary goal of
the IRKA. Being president I have also been involved in all aspects
of the organization ranging from the keeper development program
to developing scholarship opportunities.
Please outline your professional work history:
I have worked with black rhinos at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
for 10yrs. In those 10yrs we have had 2 calves which has been the
highlight. I have had the privilege to play a key role in the training
and development of our youngest male and am currently the head keeper
of the Mainland Asia area at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Vickie Steele
Current Employer: White Oak Conservation Center
Position: Section Leader - Rhinos
Previous IRKA involvement or Board experience:
I was one of the individuals on the original steering committee
to start the Rhino Keeper organization (Association) at the Denver
Rhino Keeper Workshop in 2003. I have been on the Board of Directors
since the inception of the association at the board meeting held
at White Oak Conservation Center in 2006. I have held the executive
board member position of Treasurer since then.
Why do you want to be part of the IRKA
Board?
I would like to continue to be a working part of this new organization
and get it to its 501c3 status. I have enjoyed being involved with
the start up of the organization and would like to continue being
involved with it as we become more involved internationally. As
a board member I enjoy the camaraderie between all the people involved
at the association level and amongst the incredible board of directors.
I feel that we have a wide representation of ideas that float around
us with all the vast experience we all have. I enjoy working with
individual members on their questions and with helping with problem
solving when those issues arise.
What specific qualifications would you
bring to the Board of Directors?
I graduated from Moorpark College with a degree in Exotic Animal
Training and Management in 1984. Trough school we were required
to put in 90 hours each at Los Angeles Zoo and Santa Barbara Zoo
as well as care and train the 700+ animals housed at our compound.
I started at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in Oct 1984 and was
primarily a mammal field keeper. During my 13 years at the SDWAP
I worked in all areas of he field, as well as 3 years at the Animal
Care Center hand rearing various neonates from wallabies to rhinos.
I also worked with small primates, Koalas and small hoofstock species
in the village area of the SDWAP. I worked with Eastern Back rhino,
Northern and Southern White rhinos and Greater One-horned rhinos
while at SDWAP. I was involved with the conditioning of a female
Northern white rhino for ultrasoundography.
As a member of the San Diego local Chapter of
AAZK I held the office of president during the National Conference
in San Diego in 1993 and was Treasurer from 1994-1997 including
the time we became our own 501c3 organization. Being the chapter
treasurer I was also responsible for filing the taxes every year.
Please outline your professional work
history:
In Oct. 1997 I moved from San Diego to Yulee, Florida for the Lead
Rhino Keeper position at White Oak Conservation Center. At the time
WO had 13 rhinos, Southern black and Southern White rhinos. After
a year, we shipped out our white rhinos and brought in a wild caught
group of 1.5 from Kurger National Park, South Africa. We also added
Greater One-horned rhinos and a couple more female black rhinos
to our collection. Our largest group, including numerous calves,
was 26 rhinos in 2005. In Oct. 2008 we added a Sumatran Rhino to
our collection. Two year old “Harapan” has been a wonderful
addition to our facility. White Oak Conservation Center is now the
only place in the world with all four captive rhino species. The
rhino section also includes Somali Wild Asses, Grevy’s Zebra,
Bairds’s tapir, Banteng and a mixed species pen with a variety
of bachelor hoofstock species.
Dave Clawson
Current Employer: The Wilds
Position: Animal Management Specialist - Rhinos
Previous IRKA involvement or Board experience:
I have been to all six of the IRKA workshops, a member of the steering
committee that work on the formation of the IRKA and have been an
IRKA board member since its inception.
Why do you want to be part of the IRKA Board?
Rhinos are all I currently work with and I very much appreciate
the focus of the IRKA. I enjoy hearing and learning from colleagues
with similar challenges and hope I can help others with challenges
they face at their institutions. I understand working at a traditional
zoo setting as well as a semi free range facility and strive to
advance captive rhino management in both environments. I encourage
the continuation of the IRKA Professional Development Program and
would like to work on ways to expose IRKA professional members to
rhinos in the field.
What specific qualifications would you bring to the Board of Directors?
I believe I have a good understanding of the IRKA past and present
and look forward to its future. I have basic knowledge of website
design and would hope to continue as the IRKA webmaster helping
to disseminate rhino information to its members. Currently most
of the IRKA workshop presentations are being recorded and are placed
on the website for future viewing. It is my hope to enhance this
process by providing a live real time web broadcast of the IRKA
workshops so that IRKA members who are not able to attend can
interact with on site participants. Lets hope to get this done by
2011.
Please outline your professional work history:
I have worked with captive rhinos for 25 plus years. I have been
employed at the at the Wilds for 18 of those 25 years working with
Greater One Horn and White rhinos in a semi free range environment.
During this period I also worked with Tom Foose and the IRF. Prior
to the Wilds I worked at the Columbus Zoo with Black and White rhinos
in a more traditional setting.
Additional information:
I look forward to the continuation of the IRKA workshops and the
growth of this very valuable organization.
Christine Bobko
Current Employer: Denver Zoo ( 1990 - present)
Position: Lead Rhino keeper
Previous IRKA involvement: (2006-present)
I have been involved with the development of this organization since
the idea was formed in 2003 at the Denver Rhino Keeper Workshop.
I have been a member of the BOD since IRKA's inception in 2006.
I have been responsible for the concept and implementation of the
organizations newsletter "The Crash", and continue as
editor of this tri-monthly publication that goes out to all members.
Why do you want to be a part of the BOD?
It was crucial that rhino keepers have their own organization that
would allow for continued education, experience and growth professionally,
and thus our organization was formed by a few dedicated keepers.
I have loved this organization since it was just an idea, and have
been dedicated to its growth. I want to continue to serve on the
BOD's to help our fledgling organization realize our full potential.
Specific qualifications:
I have worked over 22 years with rhinos, specifically Black rhinos,
and have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience dealing with
this species. My passion for rhinos has not diminished over the
years, but has just grown stronger. Along with this passion, I am
highly organized, detail-oriented and a leader. I have been involved
in conservation work in-situ as a "Bowling for Rhino"
winner, and also headed several research projects at our zoo dealing
with our rhino collection. I am committed to this organization and
the mission in which we strive to fulfill.
Professional Work History:
1987-1989: Lubee Foundation - Gainesville, Florida
Responsible for care and management hoofed stock collection and
bird collection.
1989-1990: San Antonio Zoo - San Antonio, Texas
Worked with one of largest hoofed stock collections including Black
and White rhinos. Chosen to work with Koalas brought in from San
Diego, and received nutritional scholarship.
1990-present: Denver Zoo - Denver, Colorado
Responsible for lead rhino keeper duties that include care and management
of three black rhinos and two Nile hippos. Also perform elephant
duties on a daily basis in a free contact system. Perform daily
public demonstrations and tours through building. Work closely with
vets on a daily basis for overall health of collection including
blood collection, ultrasound and urine collection.
Christine M. Bobko
Rhino keeper, Denver Zoo
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