Deserrai Buunk
Ajax,ON
Summary
Hardworking and passionate keeper with reputation for exceptional animal care skills. Dependable candidate successful at managing multiple projects in dynamic circumstances. Demonstrates ability to work independently but also enjoys working within a team to achieve high levels of animal welfare. Ready to help team achieve personal goals while focused on the Strategic Plan.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Zookeeper - Temporary to Grade 3
Toronto Zoo
2007.12 - Current
- Responsible for daily care of African Savanna animals including diets, medications, behavioral observations and cleaning of holdings and exhibits.
- Monitors animal to identify illnesses, injuries, or potential diseases and reports findings to supervisors and team.
- Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing within wildlife care, safety and security, nutrition and facilities and services departments.
- Produces reports relevant to position including daily keeper reports, feed and medication requests, work order requests, and animal introduction or birthing plans.
- Researches, provides and evaluates enrichment as part of a behavioral husbandry program.
- Successfully trained many behaviors using operant conditioning including weights and crating a variety of species while also mentoring new keepers.
- Trains and supervises a variety of staff including co-ops, seasonal, grade one, twos and threes transferred to Africa Savanna.
- Supports research projects with internal projects and visiting scientists.
- Followed proper zoonotic disease and quarantine protocols when necessary.
- Provides educational opportunities to the public through keeper talks, behind the scenes tours, social media participation, fundraising and awareness events.
Custodian Grade 1
Toronto Zoo
2006.11 - 2007.11
- Kept building spaces premises clean inside and outside.
- Handled spills, accidents and other cleaning emergencies to maintain cleanliness standards throughout assigned shift.
- Emptied trash cans and recycling bins to keep building clean and free of germs.
- Replaced and refilled paper towel and toilet paper dispensers for users convenience.
- Maintained clean and comfortable environments in office buildings, exhibit glass and washrooms by disinfecting, washing, vacuuming, cleaning windows, and dusting.
- Followed safety protocols and safe use of protective gear to prevent injury to self and others.
Casual - Interpretation, Culture and Design Branch
Toronto Zoo
2006.09 - 2006.11
- Maintained and repaired exhibits, related graphics and artifacts to preserve quality.
- Organized and attended meetings to discuss project status and brief new projects.
- Contributed to creative process through original ideas and inspiration.
- Helped prepare supplies for upcoming capital projects.
Seasonal - Custodian
Toronto Zoo
2006.06 - 2006.09
- Kept building spaces premises clean inside and outside.
- Replaced and refilled paper towel and toilet paper dispensers for users convenience.
- Emptied trash cans and recycling bins to keep building clean and free of germs.
- Maintained clean and comfortable environments in commercial buildings by vacuuming, cleaning windows, and dusting.
- Handled spills, accidents and other cleaning emergencies to maintain cleanliness standards throughout assigned shift.
- Followed safety protocols and safe use of protective gear to prevent injury to self and others.
Education
Zookeeper Training
Toronto Zoo
Scarborough, ONCertificate - Fundraising Management
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto, ON12.2023
Ontario College Certificate - Animal Care
Sheridan College
Brampton, ON08.2005
Skills
- Leadership and Training
- Resourcefulness and Critical Thinking
- Observant and Responsible
- Oral and Written Communication
- Meets Physical Requirements
- Organized and Self-Motivated
- Researcher and Educator
- Empathetic and Supportive
- Collaborative and Creative
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with a small team in the development of the African Penguin husbandry program achieving SSP breeding success.
- Achieved the first breeding success for the Southern Ground Hornbill SSP by introducing husbandry, welfare and nutritional changes that have continued to produce chicks year after year.
- Researched and recommended extensive changes to the behavioral and nutritional program for the Southern White Rhinos resulting in successful breeding contributions to the SSP.
- Helped to successfully hand-raise a female Greater Kudu antelope after a traumatic birth and rejection by mother while still living amongst the herd.
- Successfully raised over $60,000 for rhino conservation through multiple avenues at the zoo including an annual Rhino Open House event.
- Educated and engaged thousands of guests during Facebook lives, special events and on site fundraising initiatives.
- Invited to teach advanced rhino care for a professional certificate course at the Toronto AAZK conference.
- Represented the Toronto Zoo at international conferences through multiple poster and powerpoint presentations.
- Nominated and awarded employee of the month and R.E.W.A.R.Ds on multiple occasions for various initiatives.
- Alumni representative for Sheridan College speaking on career opportunities in Animal Care.
Affiliations
- ABMA - The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
- AAZK - American Association of Zoo Keepers
- IRKA - International Rhino Keeper Association
Certification
- Avian Egg Incubation Professional Certificate, AAZK - San Diego Zoo Global
- Avian Egg Incubation Professional Certificate, AAZK - St. Louis Zoo
- Advanced Behavioral Husbandry Certificate, AAZK - Denver Zoo
- Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquariums, AZA - Disney
- Various Dog Training Certificates, Who's Walking Who
- Variety of Dog Training Certificates, Who's Walking Who - Ajax/Toronto
Timeline
Zookeeper - Temporary to Grade 3
Toronto Zoo
2007.12 - Current
Custodian Grade 1
Toronto Zoo
2006.11 - 2007.11
Casual - Interpretation, Culture and Design Branch
Toronto Zoo
2006.09 - 2006.11
Seasonal - Custodian
Toronto Zoo
2006.06 - 2006.09
Zookeeper Training
Toronto Zoo
Certificate - Fundraising Management
Toronto Metropolitan University
Ontario College Certificate - Animal Care
Sheridan College
- Avian Egg Incubation Professional Certificate, AAZK - San Diego Zoo Global
- Avian Egg Incubation Professional Certificate, AAZK - St. Louis Zoo
- Advanced Behavioral Husbandry Certificate, AAZK - Denver Zoo
- Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquariums, AZA - Disney
- Various Dog Training Certificates, Who's Walking Who
- Variety of Dog Training Certificates, Who's Walking Who - Ajax/Toronto
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