Mike Cong

Dynamic animal care professional with extensive experience at the captive animal field, excelling in the care of exotic species and wildlife conservation. Proven ability in animal capture and restraint, complemented by strong communication skills. Successfully implemented enrichment activities, enhancing animal well-being and visitor engagement. Passionate about wildlife education and conservation efforts.

• ArcGis Pro Essential Training, Linkedin Learning, 3 hours
• Introductions to Wetland Determination, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean Water Academy, 8 hours
• Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Udemy, 8.5 hours
• Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 7.5 hours
• Hazwoper 40, NHF-1741045111-4869-9421

• First Aid CPR/AED, 01/09/2024, PARD Safety Team, 8 hours
• Safe Driver Program, 05/17/2023, PARD Safety Team, 7 hours
• Trailer Operator Training, 05/11/2023, PARD Safety Team, 3 hours
• Hand and Portable Power Tool Safety, PARD Safety Team, 2 hours
• Austin Bat Walk Training, 2020, Bat Conservation International, 8 hours
• Principles of Prescribed Burns, 2009, International Crane Foundation, 8 hours
• Basic Wetland Delineation Course, 05/2025 – current, 40 hours
• Hazwoper 40 Hour Certification (March 3, 2025)

• Bat Walks, Used Wildlife Acoustics’ Echo Meter Touch bat detector to capture calls and the app to identify bat species.
• Golden-winged & Blue-winged Warbler Survey, 2008, 2009, 2010, Helped with point surveys, territory mapping, mist netting and banding of Golden-winged & Blue-winged Warblers in Central Wisconsin.
• Trail Camera monitoring, Monitoring of North American Beavers & Otters at a subdivision retention pond (2025).
• Vertebrate Survey, Focus on reptiles & amphibians (iNaturalist user: spadefootatx).
• Black-capped Vireo banding, At Kickapoo Caverns State Natural Area (spring 2005) I helped with mist net setup, removing birds from netting and banding birds.
• Piping Plover Survey, 2006, Of Surfside beach in Brazoria County with the Houston Zoo.
• Blanding’s Turtle Surveys, 2008, 2009, At Sandhill Wildlife Area in Central Wisconsin. Helped with locating Snapping, Painted & Blanding’s turtles using driving surveys, sand dune surveys, shell marking using shell notching of scutes, collecting of weights & length.
• Black Tern banding, At Sandhill Wildlife Area in Central Wisconsin. Helped with trapping, banding of Black Terns at their nesting sites.
• Reptiles and amphibian survey, 2004, 2005, Of Barton Creek Habitat Preserve. The Nature Conservancy & Texas Natural History Collections project.
• Reptiles/Amphibian/Bird Outreach talks, Walnut Creek Elementary School, 05/2005, Lizards, amphibians & snakes talk, Houston Outdoor Learning Academy, 04/2006, Snake talk, Wesley Academy, 04/2007, Insects & reptiles talk, YES Academy, 09/2007 to 12/2007, Weekly nature club leader, Jane Long Middle School, 10/2007, Snake & birds talk
• Invasive Plants Control, Worked with invasive plant control using Garlon and Glyphosate. Applied pesticides, mowing, pulling and digging to remove Sting Nettle, woody plants and Spotted Knapweed in animal enclosures and surrounding areas at the International Crane Foundation.

• Trail Cycling
• Hiking
• Wildlife Watching
• Wildlife Photography
• Camping