- Participant in Project Feeder Watch since 2020
- Mass Audubon volunteer for Nestwatch & Terrapin Monitoring Program in 2022-2023
- Participant in local beach clean ups
Kristy Kaeterle
Westport,MA
Summary
A dedicated employee of the City of New Bedford for 25 years, committed to pursuing continual advancements in animal care and welfare, and an eager contributor to team success and organizational growth. Passionate about preserving the future for wildlife and connecting the community through zoo conservation efforts.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Zookeeper
City of New Bedford- Buttonwood Park Zoo
06.2010 - Current
- Responsible for weekly scheduling of Animal Care Staff and management of employee time-off requests
- Creating weekly keeper chat schedule for public education
- Assisting in hiring process of Animal Care Staff
- Assisting in new keeper training & mentoring
- Assisting in volunteer training & mentoring
- Organizing Team Professional Development Courses
- Management of the BPZ Aquatics Department
- Management of the BPZ conservation Initiative BB*2
- Animal Welfare Committee
- Senior Keeper job description includes zookeeper responsibilities listed below
Zookeeper
City of New Bedford- Buttonwood Park Zoo
06.2000 - 06.2010
- Maintained safe and clean exhibit areas for animals and visitors by following BPZ husbandry protocols.
- Maintained life support systems for various aquatic life including freshwater fish, saltwater fish & inverts, aquatic turtles, river otters, and marine mammals.
- Performed daily water quality testing and data analysis.
- Trained husbandry and medical behaviors with various animal species using operant conditioning.
- Enhanced visitor experience by conducting daily keeper chats, explaining animal behaviors and habitats.
- Promoted a positive work environment by effectively communicating with team members, participating in staff meetings, and working collaboratively to achieve department goals.
- Assisted in the safe capture, restraint, and transport of various animal species when necessary for medical procedures or transfers.
- Collaborated with veterinary staff to administer medications, treatments, and routine health checks for optimal animal care.
- Assisted with the development of new exhibits and renovations especially focusing on life support design.
- Completed daily recordkeeping which included species diet/food consumption, behavioral observations, medical treatments, water quality & life support
- Actively participated in professional development opportunities such as online workshops & classes, as well as conferences to stay current on best practices in animal care within the zoological community.
- Enhanced animal welfare by implementing goal oriented enrichment programs tailored to each species' natural behaviors.
- Managed inventory of food supplies, life support equipment & water quality lab equipment
- Trained new staff members and volunteers in animal care husbandry, operant conditioning, life support practices, and water quality testing.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Wildlife Biology
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Amherst, MA06-1996
Skills
- Knowledgeable in animal behavior
- Proficient in Operant Conditioning
- Skilled life support technician
- Seasoned water quality technician
- Experienced in honey bee management
- Knowledge of Zims
- Multitasking abilities
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
Accomplishments
- Assisted in developing the BPZ Animal Care Training & Enrichment Program-2010 (program recognized by the AZA Accreditation Team 2014)
- Acting Volunteer Coordinator for Animal Care Interns & Volunteers 2015-2018
- Rainforest, Rivers, & Reefs Project (2016-2017). Managed the Saltwater Exhibits Team responsible for the building and design of seven saltwater aquariums. Tasks included: life support design and installation, specimen acquisition, and developing husbandry protocols.
- Assisted in developing BPZ Water Quality Program (program recognized by AZA Accreditation Team 2019)
- Development of the BPZ local conservation initiative BB*2 (Birds, Bats, Bees, & Butterfly) Program (program recognized by AZA Accreditation Team 2024)
Affiliations
- Institutional Representative for AZA Lined Seahorse SSP
- Institutional Representative for AZA Baers Pochard SSP
- Institutional Representative for AZA Harbor Seal SSP
- Institutional Representative for AZA Monarch SAFE Program
- Institutional Representative for AZA NAS SAFE Program
Certification
- AZA Managing Animal Enrichment & Training Program- 2010
- The Aquarium Vet- E-quarist Course-2020
- Bristol County Beekeeper Association-Beginner Beekeeping Course- Feb 2023
- Certified CPR & First Aid - April 2025
- Pollinator Steward Certification- In progress
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology- Ornithology: Comprehensive Bird Biology course- In progress
Interests
Timeline
Senior Zookeeper
City of New Bedford- Buttonwood Park Zoo
06.2010 - Current
Zookeeper
City of New Bedford- Buttonwood Park Zoo
06.2000 - 06.2010
Bachelor of Science - Wildlife Biology
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
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