Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Research Participation
Professional Development & Training
Conservation Work
Computer Skills
Timeline
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Melissa R. McElya

Melissa R. McElya

St Louis,MO

Summary

Dynamic animal care manager with extensive experience at the Saint Louis Zoo, working with pachyderms and ungulates. Passionate about enhancing animal wellbeing programs and fostering strong work relationships within teams. Exceptional work ethic and focus on forwarding the zoo's mission. Successful in fast-paced environments and able to adapt easily. Forward-thinking, collaborative, innovative, and dedicated to team development and program advancement.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Zoological Manager, Primates

Saint Louis Zoo
St Louis, MO
11.2020 - Current
  • Extensive collaboration with departmental leadership from Architecture & Planning, Safety, Facilities Maintenance, Horticulture, Public Relations, Animal Health, Development, Guest Relations, and outside contract companies PGAV, A thru Z, Lawrence Fabrics, and many others, on the design, construction, completion, and opening of Primate Canopy Trails.
  • Helped to develop preventative health plans for over 45 individuals and implemented new animal training objectives that have allowed for safer animal immobilizations.
  • Written and implemented new management policies and procedures
  • Led team meetings to align project goals and expectations.
  • Coordinated cross-departmental collaboration for improved workflow efficiencies.
  • Facilitated performance reviews to provide constructive feedback and support growth.
  • Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
  • Ensured compliance with all applicable USDA regulations and AZA standards.
  • Oversaw daily operations and ensured alignment with organizational goals.

River's Edge Keeper

Saint Louis Zoo
St Louis, USA
08.2008 - 11.2020
  • Created a top to bottom welfare assessment that is now being utilized by departments across the St Louis Zoo
  • Used operant conditioning to train elephant calves for voluntary blood collection, injection training, rectal fluids, trunk wash, oral medication, baths, foot care, manual and mechanical restrain, as well as a repertoire of over 20 other behaviors, within the first year of life
  • Developed and implemented behavioral research projects on stereotypy and social/spatial experiences
  • Serve as a mentor; training, evaluating, and authorizing keepers to move from one training level to the next
  • Perform chemical, manual, and mechanical restrain
  • Proficiently performed all aspects of husbandry, including blood collection, medication administration, foot/skin care, and emergency medical treatments
  • Extensive knowledge of reproduction, parturition, and introductions of elephants, rhinos, red river hogs, and dwarf mongoose
  • Participated in multiple animal transfers
  • Developed and revised protocols and workshop curriculum
  • Taught an elephant training course for AAZK
  • Made schedules, submitted work orders, managed budgets
  • Used PR/Interview training to reflect the St Louis Zoo’s mission to media, visitors, and other AZA programs
  • In field conservation work at the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Center in India
  • Participated in numerous research projects through fecal/blood collection and data collection
  • Hand rearing and development of large mammals

Large Mammals Keeper III

Caldwell Zoo
Tyler , TX
03.2007 - 08.2008
  • Performed all aspects of husbandry for 1.3 African elephants, 2.2 reticulated giraffes, 3.1 black rhinos, and 3.1 cheetahs.
  • Used operate conditioning to train cheetahs for blood collection and ocular cleaning/exams
  • Giraffe for scale training, blood collection, and hoof care
  • Black rhinos for blood collection, injection training, foot/skin care
  • Giraffe, black rhinos, and cheetahs for animal transfers
  • Reproduction and parturition of rhinos, cheetahs, and giraffe
  • Worked as the highest level elephant handler in which I trained and enforced safety protocols for less experienced keeper staff
  • Weekly elephant and giraffe presentations to large crowds of zoo guest
  • Multiple TV and radio interviews promoting AZA events and animal education

Small Mammal Keeper II

Caldwell Zoo
Tyler , TX
05.2005 - 03.2007
  • Performed all aspects of husbandry for over 30 species of primates, hoof stock, and carnivores
  • Manual restrain as well as assisted veterinary staff in chemical restrain
  • Monitored and recorded daily changes in animal health, behavior, and reproduction
  • Used operate conditioning to train voluntary hand injection of lemurs, squirrel monkeys, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, lions, and zebras
  • Created progressive enrichment items to enhance animals’ physical and cognitive behaviors
  • Designed and built perching for both indoor and outdoor enclosures
  • Influenced management to change existing euthanasia practices of wildlife to more innovative and humane techniques
  • Assisted in veterinary procedures and necropsies

Large Mammal Intern

Caldwell Zoo
Tyler, TX
01.2005 - 05.2005
  • Performed all aspects of husbandry for 1.4 reticulated giraffe
  • Designed and implemented a giraffe training program
  • Assisted keeper staff in the daily husbandry of black rhinos, cheetahs, and African elephants
  • Habitat and facilities maintenance of animals’ living space
  • Maintained animal husbandry records and training logs

Education

Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Animal Health Technology / Pre-Vet

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Skills

  • Operant conditioning training
  • Behavioral research
  • Effective communication
  • Confident presentation
  • Constructive leader
  • Welfare advocacy
  • Operations management
  • Approachable collaborator
  • Lay counseling training
  • Assertive decision-making
  • Crisis management
  • Strategic thinking

Research Participation

  • Captive Orangutan Dentition Emergence Project Apr 2025 – Present
  • Age related changes in DHEAS levels in Atelids Feb 2024 – Apr 2024
  • Does IgA reflect the valence of stressful experience? A case study in male gorillas at the Saint Louis Zoo Jan 2022 – Nov 2024
  • ACTH Challenge in Female Langurs - Dec 2021
  • Great Ape Heart Project Nov 2020 - Present
  • Things are not always what they seem: Combining multiple approaches to understand possible impacts of visitors on a zoo-housed Francois langur: Co-Author Nov 2020 – Oct 2024
  • Primate Canopy Trails Construction Study: Observations and Noise Logger Nov 2020 - Summer 2021
  • AWARE Institute’s Elephant Welfare Initiative 2016 – 2020
  • River’s Edge Stereotypy Study Part 2: Understanding how an individual’s stereotypic behavior is impacted by the introduction of an elephant calf: Primary Researcher Apr – Sep 2016
  • River’s Edge Keeper Chat Survey Summer 2016
  • River’s Edge Socialization Study: Understanding the social experience of a singly-housed male elephant, by quantifying the amount of visual and tactile interaction between him and other conspecifics: Primary Researcher Feb – Jun 2015
  • River’s Edge Stereotypy Study Part 1: A scientific approach to identifying precursor behaviors and trends that contribute to stereotypic behavior in an individual: Primary Researcher March – Sep 2014
  • Determining Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of the Antiviral Drug Ganciclovir in Asian Elephants Feb 2014
  • MLS Grant Funded Elephant Welfare Research Study Jan – Dec 2012
  • Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus Blood Collection Research 2008 – 2019

Professional Development & Training

  • AZA 2024 Annual Conference +Plus Online Sep 2024
  • Difficult Conversations May 2024
  • Brevard Zoo & Central Florida Zoo 3-day in-person education on integration and management of wildlife-trafficked spider monkeys May 2024
  • AAIM Leadership Conference May 2023
  • Great Ape Cardiac Health Workshop Apr 2022
  • Develop and Inspire High Performing Teams Dec 2021
  • New Manager RightPath 360 Sep 2021 – Mar 2022
  • Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence Aug 2021
  • New Manager Development Program Feb – Dec 2021:

                    - Your Role as a Supervisor

                    - Foundations of Management

                    - Positive Management

                    - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

  • San Diego Global Academy Online 2018
  • High EQ Sep 2017
  • Elephant Welfare Initiatives Behavior Observation Aug 2017
  • AZA Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management Apr 2016
  • Excel: Introduction & Intermediate Mar & Apr 2015
  • Give Respect, Get Respect Jan – Jun 2015
  • Contemporary Animal Training Course Nov 2013
  • Powerful Powerpoint Presentations Jul 2012
  • AZA Course: Principles of Elephant Management Feb 2012
  • Assertive Communication Skills Aug 2010
  • CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens/Emergency Oxygen Certified 2008 – 2020
  • Saint Louis Zoo required workforce development and UKG training 2008 - Present
  • PADI Scuba Open Water Certification Fall 2008
  • Series of Interviews, Presentations, and Events highlighting both the Caldwell Zoo and Saint Louis Zoo's mission and conservation initiatives 2004 - 2025

Conservation Work

  • Hutan, Malaysia Nov 2023

                    - In November 2023, I traveled to Sukau, Malaysia to visit the Hutan, which is a conservation organization supported by the zoo. The intentions of this trip were: 1) To meet with the director and each of the various program leaders 2) To learn about how each initiative is serving to promote community engagement, habitat reforestation and wildlife protection 3) To gain a better understanding of the challenges that face this region and to celebrate the successes that the Saint Louis Zoo has been a part of as a result of financial contributions. While there, I was able to spend time with each team and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the work they do and how to best share this conservation messaging with our community.

  • Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Oct – Nov 2019

                    -In January 2019, I was the recipient of a Dexter Grant to travel to India and work as an intern at the Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC). The CWRC is a facility that rescues abandoned or injured wildlife in and around the Kaziranga National Park area. Their mission is to treat, rehabilitate, and then return these animals back to the wild. They also work to mitigate human-animal conflict through community outreach and educational programs. As an intern, I spent three weeks assisting in the veterinary care and husbandry of a variety of species, including orphaned elephant and rhino calves.

Computer Skills

  • Proficient in utilizing the following computer programs
    - ZIMS - Docuware
    - PowerPlan - Erequester
    - UKG - Sharepoint
    - Asset Essentials - PMC track
    - Milestone - Night Owl
    - Microsoft Office Programs: Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams

Timeline

Zoological Manager, Primates

Saint Louis Zoo
11.2020 - Current

River's Edge Keeper

Saint Louis Zoo
08.2008 - 11.2020

Large Mammals Keeper III

Caldwell Zoo
03.2007 - 08.2008

Small Mammal Keeper II

Caldwell Zoo
05.2005 - 03.2007

Large Mammal Intern

Caldwell Zoo
01.2005 - 05.2005

Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Animal Health Technology / Pre-Vet

Murray State University

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