AMANDA COLEMAN
Voluntown,CT
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Intake & Adoption Director, Animal Care Specialist
Foster Parrots and the New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary
01.2021 - Current
- Oversee all surrender requests, adoption applications, interviews and communications with local rescues and animal control organizations
- Evaluated all avian intakes for suitability for placement or residency.
- Collaborated with the Animal Care Director to create and implement animal care/behavior polices and procedures sanctuary wide.
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for Intake, Adoption, and Education Program operations.
- Ability to safely capture and restrain both avian and non-avian species.
- Responded to emergency rescues involving injured/abused animals.
- Responded to the closure of the Mayaguez Zoo in Puerto Rico, safely removing 65 birds and Patagonian maras.
- Provided enrichment activities to improve the physical and psychological welfare of exotic animals in captivity to help prevent boredom.
- Prepared special diets for animals to accommodate specific health conditions and species-specific needs.
- Documented observations of animal behavior and physical condition to track health and progress.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
- Monitored animals for behavioral problems and signs of health issues.
- Developed animal behavior modification plans
- Consulted with veterinarians to diagnose problems and administered prescribed treatments.
- Created a successful adoption program committee and education program
- Managed / trained staff and volunteers
- Presented/gave educational talks at veterinary colleges, Avian conservation conferences, and at community engagement programs.
- Participated in field work through the organizations conservation partner, Macaw Conservation, Costa Rica
Ambassador Animal Specialist & Wild-bunch AA Staff
Roger Williams Park Zoo
03.2017 - 03.2022
- Facilitate and oversee animal encounters that allowed the public up close experiences including informal education about specific species, the zoo's mission, and conservation efforts
- Maintain visitor and animal safety during live presentations
- Assisted in the interviewing and training of all new seasonal animal ambassador staff
- Assisted in daily training using operant conditioning for the zoo's animal ambassadors, with a focus on, Von der Decken Hornbill, Prehensile Tail Porcupine, Eastern Striped Skunk, Red-rumped Agouti, Red-tail hawk, Domestic Rats and Chickens
- Performed trained behaviors on-stage in front of a crowd for daily Wild-Bunch shows
- Assisted animal care staff and management in the creation of species-specific training plans
- Maintained record keeping and animal observations
- Designed species-specific enrichment
- Assisted lead zookeeper staff with daily husbandry tasks, observations, and record keeping
- Facilitated zoo tours and educational programming in person, through zoom, and during live broadcast presentations with local media.
Education Program Instructor
Roger Williams Park Zoo
05.2018 - 12.2020
- Facilitate zoo-mobile programs on and off zoo grounds
- Facilitate camp animal encounters with the zoo's collection of ambassador animals
- Crated, transported, and presented animals during live programs.
- Maintained Guest and Animal safety during all live presentations.
- Observed and documented animal behavior and maintained record keeping.
- Write and facilitate curriculums for after school programs
- Facilitate over-night programs for school and family groups.
Animal Care Intern
Roger Williams Park Zoo
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Completed a 35 hour per week 12-week Animal Care Internship
- Animal care rotations were bi-weekly and rotated through all major animal care departments; Africa, Adaptations, Tropical America, North America, and Commissary
- Encompassed all daily husbandry, enrichment, and training of the zoos animal collection.
Marine Mammal Rescue Intern
Mote Marine Aquarium
05.2005 - 09.2005
- Marine Mammal Rescue, Rehabilitation, Care and Restraint
- Species worked with, manatees, spinner, bottle-nose and rough toothed dolphins, sea turtles and pelicans and various sea birds
- Husbandry and Medical Care of marine mammals and reptiles in the hospital unit
- Commissary duties, record keeping and data entry.
Assistant Trainer Pinnipeds and Birds, Education Interpreter
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration
05.2002 - 01.2005
- Husbandry (exhibit maintenance, commissary duties, and feeding) and training of the aquarium's collection of northern fur sea lions, harbor seals, stellar sea lions, and African black-footed penguins
- Assisted in the collection of enrichment observations and data to enhance husbandry and training practices.
- Facilitated talks with and without live animals.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology with a focus in Biological Anthropology
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI12.2019
Skills
- Record Keeping
- Animal Care
- Animal Restraint / Capture
- Training
- Medical Care
- Data Collection
- Analysis
- Public Speaking
- Teaching
- Ability to maintain composure during stressful situations
- Working knowledge of various exotic and domestic animal species
Research
- Rhode Island College, Research Assistant- Primates, 01/2018, 05/2019, Collected and analyzed behavioral data on wild White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus capucinus) at the Curu Wildlife Reserve, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica., The project examined inter-species and human interactions along with approaches to conflict resolution for trash-raiding behaviors and human-directed aggression., Communicated research to elementary school children virtually through social media and through in-person post-fieldwork classroom visits., Entered and analyzed data from all collection periods., Worked in a dynamic environment of rich biodiversity., Entered the field for two seasons, Jan 2018 (Dry season) and April 2019 (Wet season)
- RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY Independent research, 09/2018, 05/2019, The research examines the transition of five species of non-human primates into a new mixed-species exhibit, with the Roger Williams Park Zoo, Species include Black Howler Monkeys (Alouatta Caraya), Bolivian Grey Titi Monkeys (Callicebus donacophilus), White-Faced Saki Monkeys (Pithecia pithecia), The Pied Tamarins (Saguinus bicolor), and Golden Lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia)., Observed and collected 70 hours of behavioral data during the four phases of acclimatization using the focal method of data collection, Research designed to aid zookeepers with nuanced data detailing specific behavior patterns to help reduce stress and successful integration into new mixed-species exhibits.
Timeline
Intake & Adoption Director, Animal Care Specialist
Foster Parrots and the New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary
01.2021 - Current
Animal Care Intern
Roger Williams Park Zoo
01.2019 - 05.2019
Education Program Instructor
Roger Williams Park Zoo
05.2018 - 12.2020
Ambassador Animal Specialist & Wild-bunch AA Staff
Roger Williams Park Zoo
03.2017 - 03.2022
Marine Mammal Rescue Intern
Mote Marine Aquarium
05.2005 - 09.2005
Assistant Trainer Pinnipeds and Birds, Education Interpreter
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration
05.2002 - 01.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology with a focus in Biological Anthropology
Rhode Island College
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