Elias Blaset
La Mesa,CA
Summary
As an experienced Wildlife Care Specialist, I aspire to utilize my knowledge and skillset to assist in wildlife management, behavioral husbandry, education and conservation.
My ultimate goal is to apply my experience to lead positive changes in the future of threatened species represented in our organization.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Wildlife Care Specialist - Behavior
San Diego Zoo
07.2023 - Current
- Responsible for the daily care and husbandry of multiple species including but not limited to cheetah, wolves, small mammals, birds of prey, and psitacines.
- Connect guests with our wildlife ambassadors through a large scheduled presentation, showcasing our conservation hubs and ways we can support native habitats.
- Participate in behavioral modification sessions with a variety of different species. Discussion of criteria, reinforcement history, and implementation of effective communication are some of our prioritized topics.
Wildlife Care Specialist / Explorer's Basecamp
San Diego Zoo
08.2022 - 07.2023
- Responsible for the daily husbandry of a variety of different species residing in Wildlife Explorer's Base camp, providing daily behavioral observations and enhancing enrichment opportunities.
- Collaborate with multiple teams in behavioral goals for different species, discussing training plans involving operant conditioning based training.
- Proficient in remote camera operation and installing different systems to provide observations for multiple species, creating virtual records of behavioral history and concerns.
- Demonstrate excellent communication and observation skills while presenting wildlife ambassadors to our guests of all ages, regularly featuring operant conditioning tactics and output based enrichment.
Wildlife Care Specialist / Animal Care Center
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
09.2020 - 08.2022
- Collaborated and assisted in rearing of a variety of different ungulate species and shared responsibility for all husbandry requirements of the Animal Care Center and Nairobi Station.
- Applied effective operant conditioning tactics with different species including sandcat, black-footed cat, bat-eared fox, and dwarf mongoose to encourage natural behaviors and maintain husbandry criteria.
- Highlighted teamwork-based strategies and streamlined communication when creating training plans for new additions to our animal population.
- Aided with multiple overnight watches involving critical care cases as well as native wildlife observations.
- Interpreted behind-the-scenes tours and connected guests with our daily tasks as a neonatal specialist.
Animal Handler / Wildlife Connections
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
06.2019 - 09.2020
- Responsible for the daily husbandry and training of a variety of different species of ambassador animals at Wildlife Connections and Nairobi Station.
- Demonstrated the application of operant conditioning with different species and progressed through discussed training criteria.
- Highlighted output based behavioral repertoire for a variety of different species using work flow documents and collaboration as a team.
- Responsible for installment and maintenance of the facility's camera surveillance system to facilitate remote observations.
Student Keeper & Trainer
America's Teaching Zoo
08.2016 - 05.2019
- Assigned as a Carnivore Lead for our Carnivore area overseeing the care, husbandry, training, and safety guidelines for all team members and fellow students.
- Responsible for husbandry training goals with multiple species including tigers, hyenas, lions, and other small carnivores.
- Developed training plans with multiple teams and followed a schedule of successive approximations.
- Organized daily record keeping and animal observations, logged through ZIMS Species 360 Software.
Animal Keeper & Trainer
Wildlife & Environmental Conservation Inc
08.2017 - 05.2018
- Applied husbandry training focused on positive reinforcement involving different levels of contact with large carnivores including tigers, cheetahs, leopards, and mountain lions.
- Improved and adapted safety protocols for all dangerous wildlife under our care.
- Trained new staff and volunteers while maintaining a teamwork based and professional environment.
- Coordinated Wildlife Education Tours with LA county schools grades ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade, connecting our guests with the animals through training demonstrations.
ICU Wildlife Tech Assistant
California Wildlife Center
04.2015 - 07.2018
- Provided assistance to the veterinary team in the Wildlife ICU including handling, restraint, medication administration, and feedings of different native species including mammals and raptors.
- Transported wildlife to and from rehabilitation & release facilities with appropriate accommodation.
- Provided daily husbandry, nutrition, and enrichment while collaborating with staff, volunteers, and interns.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Animal Health And Behavior
Unity College
Unity, ME04.2024
Certificate - Exotic Animal Training & Management
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA05.2019
Associate of Science - Exotic Animal Training & Management
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA05.2019
Associate of Arts - Spanish
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA05.2015
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA05.2015
Skills
- Applied Operant Conditioning experience with multiple taxa
- Behavioral Observation Experienced using Remote Camera Technology
- Experienced Videographer and Editor
- Aspiring Drone Pilot
- Proficient using ZIMS Species 360 Software
- Bobcat Loader Experienced
- Extensive Public Speaking & Conservation Education
- Spanish / English Interpreter
- Up to date on COVID/Rabies vaccinations
Internships / Volunteer
- Global Conservation Force Conservation Officer 2022-present
- Cheetah Conservation Fund SoCal Chapter 2022
- Cougar Conservancy 2020
- Cheetah Conservation Fund Namibia 2019
- Los Angeles Zoo Husbandry & Enrichment Volunteer 2018-2019
- California Wildlife Center Marine Rescue and NACU Volunteer 2015-2016
San Diego Zoo Global Academy Classes
- Operant Conditioning & Behavior Management
- Animal Ambassador Management
- Working safely with dangerous animals
- Interpretation Modules I, II, III
- + all required courses by SDZWA
Timeline
Wildlife Care Specialist - Behavior
San Diego Zoo
07.2023 - Current
Wildlife Care Specialist / Explorer's Basecamp
San Diego Zoo
08.2022 - 07.2023
Wildlife Care Specialist / Animal Care Center
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
09.2020 - 08.2022
Animal Handler / Wildlife Connections
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
06.2019 - 09.2020
Animal Keeper & Trainer
Wildlife & Environmental Conservation Inc
08.2017 - 05.2018
Student Keeper & Trainer
America's Teaching Zoo
08.2016 - 05.2019
ICU Wildlife Tech Assistant
California Wildlife Center
04.2015 - 07.2018
Bachelor of Science - Animal Health And Behavior
Unity College
Certificate - Exotic Animal Training & Management
Moorpark College
Associate of Science - Exotic Animal Training & Management
Moorpark College
Associate of Arts - Spanish
Moorpark College
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Moorpark College
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