ZOO CREW

Jodi with Matri the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

Jodi

Department Supervisor

Jodi began working at Australia Zoo in October 2002. After caring for a variety of animals, Jodi settled into the Bird department.

In March 2004 Jodi was given the opportunity to be apart off and develop Australia Zoo's ‘Bird Show' team which was such amazing opportunity and so much fun!

In late 2008 Jodi moved back to where it all started and now leads the Zoo's bird department where she enjoys the rewarding task of breeding and ensuring our birds have a safe and healthy environment.

Jodi also assists the croc team in their daily croc shows, in addition to assisting our curators with a variety of tasks.

In her spare time Jodi enjoys caring for her own birds, social events and just kicking back.

Tarrah with Newbie

Tarrah

Keeper

Tarrah made a bold decision to move away from fast food industry and into captive animal/tourism industry in November 2009 when she joined our busy birds crew.

Tarrah loves working at Australia Zoo because everyday brings a new amazing animal experience.  Tarrah says that "The feeling you get when you are training an animal and you 'crack' it, can be very rewarding.  Bruce the Brolga doing a dance for you or kisses from a Macaw...are all amazing."

When not at the zoo Tarrah enjoys playing softball and beach volleyball.

Scott

Scott

Keeper

Scott joined the Australia Zoo team in October 2008 working with our koala team.  Even though Scott now works our birds department, his favourite animal is the saltwater crocodile because they are one of the most prehistoric and unique animals in the world.

Working at Australia Zoo is a dream come true for Scott as he gets to spend time everyday with some of the most amazing animals in the world.

When not at the zoo, Scott can be found four wheel driving, rock climbing, camping and listening to country music.

David with flipper the Pied Cormorant

David

Keeper

David started working at Australia Zoo in December 2003 and has been working with the birds most of that time. In January 2004 he moved over to the bird show section helping with the maintenance and husbandry of the birds.

In January of 2005, David also started learning in the training side of the section of the bird show and finds it greatly rewarding.

Crystal-Lee enjoys spending time with a Macaw in the wildlife photo studio.

Crystal-Lee

Keeper

Crystal-Lee joined our busy birds team in 2007 and says that the most rewarding part of her job is the trust and bond you form as a keeper with all the birds you work with.

Outside of work Crystal-Lee enjoys breeding birds at home including parrots with her husband and son.  They also carry out raptor rehabilitation at their home.

Maaike

Maaike

Keeper

Maaike joined our busy birds crew in May 2010 and has been loving evey minute of the time she spends with our fethered friends.

Maaike has found her role very rewarding due to the bonds she has formed with our gorgeous birds.  It took 12 months to bond with our resident Brolga, Bruce.  But now that they have, Bruce dances with excitement everytime Maaike visits his enclosure.

When not a work Maaike can be found in the great outdoors either camping or hiking.

Tia wrangles an american alligator on her first day of work at Australia Zoo.

Tia

Keeper

Tia studied Animal Husbandry at the Longreach Agricultural College before relocating to the beautiful Sunshine Coast to be a part of our zoo crew in September 2012.

Tia landed her dream job in the birds team following a 3 month placement in our successful volunteers program.

Taryn

Taryn

Keeper

Taryn became a part of our zoo crew in April 2012, bringing with her previous experience at a rescue shelter in her homeland of Canada.  Taryn loves working at Australia Zoo because everyday there is something new to learn.

Although Taryn loves her birds, she names our cheetahs and tigers as her favourite animals...she is obsessed!!!  When not working hard with the birds Taryn loves to play with her two dogs.  One a great dane and the other a lab/pitbull cross.

Emma meets one of snakes in the wildlife photo studio.

Emma

Keeper

Emma joined our birds crew in December 2011 after taking part in our coveted volunteer program.

Emma is currently a general keeper and helps out in many keeping departments throughout but is based in the birds department.

Shannon

Shannon

Keeper

Shannon joined the birds team in December 2011.  With previous employment history in the field of acting, its no wonder Shannon has bonded with our beautiful but very cheeky macaws.

Shannon loves all the amazing experiences she has shared with all our different animals as they have such big personalities and make her laugh.

Shannon spends her time off hanging out with friends and often enjoys hiking around the Sushine Coast hinterland.

Angus

Angus

Keeper

Angus applied to work at Australia Zoo because he has a passion for the natural world and keen interest in learning how to handle Raptors.  Angus became one step closer to his goal when he joined our birds team in September 2012.

Angus's favourite animal here at Australia Zoo is Kyuss the Naheen Kestral who is a beautiful little Falcon with many cool features.

Claire

Claire

Keeper

Following an 18 month stint as one of our valued volunteers, Claire was offered a position in our busy birds crew in September 2011.  Having previously worked in the retail industry in Melbourne, Australia Zoo is definitelynot your average workplace.

Claire loves being surrounded by the beautiful animals that call Australia Zoo home.  Claire enjoys meeting our guests and educating them on her feathered friends.

Claire is very 'sporty' and enjoys going to the beach as well as horse riding on her days off.

Steph

Steph

Keeper

Steph was previously employed as a cake decorator before jumping at the oppourtunity to join the zoo crew in October 2010.

Steph's friends have given her the nickname 'Giraffe' due to her tall stature so its no wonder they are also her favourite animal at the zoo.

Steve Irwin was a huge influence on Steph growing up so its no surprise that she ended up working here as she shares the same passion for conservation.

On her days off Steph can be found playing basketball, reading as well hanging out with friends.

Ricki gets up close to one of our koalas in the wildlife studio

Ricki

Keeper

Following 5 years previously working as a vet nurse with small animals Ricki was excited to begin a new career path by joining the busy birds crew here at Australia Zoo.

Ricki loves a challenge and thinks that the zoo is an adventure with new tasks to tackle each and every shift.

Kayla with one of Australia Zoo's gorgeous alligators.

Kayla

Keeper

Kayla joined the Zoo Crew early 2013, with her love for animals there was only once place Kayla wanted to work and thanks to her volunteering a position was soon offered to her.

Kayla enjoys talking with patrons and teaching them all about the animals and conservation.  She also enjoys coming to the Zoo on her days off and has done almost all encounters and highly recommends them. Her favourite animals here at Australia Zoo are the Tigers.