Meet Our Staff
 

Although the animals that reside at the WDC are the stars of our place, it’s our amazing and talented staff that ensure that our “stars” are pampered and well taken care of. Each staff has their favorite animal and here are a few of their’s:

Rob Carmichael (Curator of the Wildlife Discovery Center)
Boy oh boy that’s nearly impossible to answer. I love them all equally but there are a few that I seem to have a special connection with: “Thai” the King Cobra who I have raised from a hatchling and now he’s over 9-feet long. He and I have a special “relationship” that is actually pretty neat. “Curly” the Red-Tailed Hawk is the first raptor I ever worked with and now 12 years later he’s still teaching me the ropes! I thoroughly enjoy free flying him and we’re best buds. And, despite being a herpetologist, I have to admit I have fallen in love with something of the Feline kind: our resident Bobcat named “Boris”. All I can say is that he provides many hours of amusement and we are as close as a human and animal can be…fascinating creature!

Lindy Van Vlissingen (Animal Keeper, Naturalist, Camp Director and Group Coordinator):
I am torn between the very social rhinoceros iguana who tilts her head when curious and closes her eyes when touched, to the very secretive, cautious eastern screech owl who you want to hug, to the graceful bobcat who blends in so beautifully to the surrounding fields. But I am also crazy about the leaftail gecko and the colorful gaboon viper. Moms don't have favorites!

Sandra Kooper (Marketing Coordinator):
My favorite animal at the WDC is Curly the Red-Tailed Hawk. Why? To me, hawks are such incredible symbols of power and freedom. They teach us how to soar above everything to get a clear view of the "big picture." In spite of his tough start in life, Curly is so vocal and just seems to be glad to be alive. He is an incredibly beautiful bird with so much to teach visitors.

Gavin Brink (Animal Keeper, Instructor):
As Founder of SoLA (Snakes of Latin America), I am biased towards Latin American animals. Last year our resident pair of Eyelash Vipers I care for had babies that I thoroughly enjoyed raising. That was a fun and rewarding task getting in touch with my "maternal" side.

Maggie Solum (Animal Keeper, Instructor, Outreach):
My favorite animal is Kitty the Water Monitor because she was one of the first animals I got to work with, and every day she does something new that inspires me. She is patient and gentle with all ages, allowing up close and personal experiences with an ambassador of the species.

Rebecca Brezinsky (Animal Keeper, Outreach, Instructor):
My favorite animal at the WDC is our Green Tree Python. While working with him, I've enjoyed watching his caudal lure or "wiggling his tail" when he wants to attract prey. When he's not thinking about food you can see him coiled on his perch.

Maggie Murrens (Tours, Animal Keeper):
"Sid the black throated monitor is my favorite animal at the WDC. This is a lizard from Africa. He's pretty big, four feet from tail to nose. He's real sweet. Very well behaved. He's just a really good animal!"

Sandy Simonis (Wildlife Education Facilitator):
“My favorite animal at the Wildlife Discovery Center would have to be Flora, the Rhinoceros Iguana. She helped me to get comfortable with handling and teaching about the animals. Her comfortable demeanor allowed me to guide even very frightened children to touch her and be a little brave. That made such a difference for me and I am sure for countless children who have visited.”