Rhonda K Alexander

Denver Zoo

07.2021 - Current

Provides innovative animal husbandry and support in all of the Animal Care departments as needed by providing safe and exceptional habitats, nutrition, training, behavior and welfare for animal species at the zoo
Assigned Areas: Animal Ambassadors, Birds, Carnivores (Pinniped section), Hoofstock and Pavilions
Provide area behind the scenes tours, up-close looks, keeper talks, demos, encounters and educational opportunities for visitors and school groups, working special events as needed.
Communications effectively to coordinate with animal care staff, managers, veterinary staff, behavioral husbandry department, grounds department, maintenance department, guest services, guest engagement, security, contractors and executive staff.
Follow all Denver Zoo safety protocols and demonstrating a commitment to Denver Zoo’s Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, & health regulations, procedures, and goals
Member of the Whole Life Planning subcommittee of the Animal Wellbeing Task Force and Behavioral Husbandry Committee.

Denver Zoo

05.2019 - 07.2021

Primary contact for after-hours care, emergencies and monitoring of care animals in sections across the zoo including animals within their window of parturition or under critical care.
Provided additional monitoring, care, feeding, medication and observations of animals and facilities across all taxa as requested by Primary Keepers and twice a night management and feeding of 5.0 Asian Elephants and 1.3 Greater One Horned Rhinos
Life support monitoring and checks throughout the entire zoo to make sure there are no pump malfunctions, water leaks or system failures.

Honolulu Zoo

12.2013 - 04.2019

Primary Keeper responsible for the care of mixed species including Lions, African Wild dogs, Spotted Hyena, Baboons, Meerkats, Black Rhinos, Cheetahs, Crowned Cranes, African Crested Porcupine, Klipspringer, Dik Dik, Duiker, Bongo, Storks, Sacred Ibis, Secretary Birds and Eastern Pelicans.
Relief Keeper in all other sections
Backup Nightkeeper: responsible for pm animal checks, medications, feedings and shifting spanning the two sections listed above as well as the following list of species across all other mammal sections: Asian Elephants, Chimpanzees, Orangutans, Sumatran Tigers, Sunbears, Hippos, Gibbons, Lemurs, Sunbears, Warthogs, Aardvarks, Plains Zebra, Reticulated Giraffes and education animals.
Continued development and mentor role to other keepers as an animal trainer, utilizing operant conditioning and positive reinforcement.
Training fellow keepers, keeper trainees, interns and volunteers in standard section routines

Pueblo Zoo

08.2011 - 08.2013

Swing Keeper trained across all sections as assigned on a rotational basis to provide safe exhibition, husbandry, handling, feeding, medicating and overall care of animal species across the Zoo campus.
Primary trainer for Maned Wolves, Lynx, Swift fox, Zebras, Camels, Lynx, and miniature horse.
Assisting Veterinary Staff with procedures, treatments, evaluations as needed.
Train fellow keepers, interns, and volunteers in standard section routines
Member of the dart gun team, and the conservation committee.

Summary