Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop

Below are the keepers who have been working hard to make the 2009 Orangutan Workshop a success.  We look forward to meeting all of you in Atlanta.

Jodi Carrigan

Keeper III

Jodi has been at Zoo Atlanta for over six years primarily with the gorillas but is also cross trained with the orangutans. 

Besides gorillas, Jodi has another passion at the Zoo - animal enrichment.  Jodi received honorable mention for the 2007 Lee Houts Excellence in Enrichment Award for her work on the Giving Tree project which she will present at the conference along with a few other enrichment topics.

Jodi has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  Prior to joining Zoo Atlanta, she worked with primates at Miami Metrozoo  and held an internship at the Pittsburgh Zoo.

 Tom Heitz

Keeper I, 2009 Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop Coordinator

Tom has been with Zoo Atlanta since 2007.  Prior to working at Zoo Atlanta Tom worked at Yerkes National Primate Research Center & the Topeka Zoo with primates.  Tom additionally held internships at the Houston Zoo, Elmwood Park Zoo, & the American Primate Educational Sanctuary.  Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Anthropological Sciences from The Ohio State University.

Tom's favorite part about working for Zoo Atlanta is all the opportunities it provides.  Last year Tom co-authored a grant and was able to get $5,000 from Zoo Atlanta's Conservation Endowment Fund & $1,000 from the Ape Conservation Effort to help buy the orangutans at Nyaru Menteng medical supplies.  Tom also worked and succeeded in getting the Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop held at Zoo Atlanta.

Last October Tom attended the 2008 Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop in St. Louis and presented about a multi-zoo survey involving orangutan conservation.  Tom also worked to get the support of Zoo Atlanta for the Orangutan Crisis Coalition and the organization of keeper trips to Borneo.

At this years workshop Tom will be discussing 2010 keeper trips to Borneo & conservation strategies with Ronda Schwetz, Primate Area Supervisor of the Denver Zoo.  Tom will also assist with giving training demonstrations during the workshop.  

 Amanda Nichols

Keeper II

Amanda started at Zoo Atlanta in June of 2008.  She works with the zoo orangutans and small primates.  Amanda started her zoo keeper career in November of 2000 at Bramble Park, where she worked with small primates.  In 2003 Amanda started working with Great Apes at the Topeka Zoological Park.

Amanda has a bachelors of science in Biology from South Dakota State University.  Amanda enjoys all aspects of zoo-keeping but loves the training and enrichment side of it.

Laura Mayo

Assistant Curator of Primates

Laura has been working with primates for 25 years.  She has been at Zoo Atlanta from the past 19 years in every capacity from keeper to her current position as Assistant Curator.  While Laura has had the opportunity to work with all of the Great Apes, she has had the fortune opportunity to be able to focus on orangutans.  

Laura has been working tirelessly to improve the lives of the 12 orangutans that call Zoo Atlanta home.  Last year at the 2008 Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop Laura presented about the ground breaking work she is doing with AI and about our artificial tree.  In addition she helped co-author a grant and was able to get $5,000 from Zoo Atlanta's Conservation Endowment Fund & $1,000 from the Ape Conservation Effort to help buy the orangutans at Nyaru Menteng medical supplies.  Laura will also be presenting at the 2009 Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop and giving training demonstrations.

Tom Smith

Senior Keeper

Tom has been at Zoo Atlanta for a little over 7 years and during that time he has mainly focused on elephants and carnivores.  However, over the last year, Tom has had an opportunity to work as a swing keeper which has allowed him to work with Zoo Atlanta's orangutans, hoof stock, elephants, carnivores, and various other animals.  Tom really enjoys training and he co-leads the training discussion group at Zoo Atlanta.

Tom has been an animal care taker for about 17 years.  He is originally from Ohio and graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  Tom also has an Associates Degree in veterinary science and is a registered veterinary technician.

Tom looks forward to meeting all of you at the workshop and sharing information about orangutans and training.

Lynn Yakubinis

Keeper II, Primate Department Training Coordinator

Lynn has been at Zoo Atlanta for over one year.  Prior to coming to Zoo Atlanta, she worked at the Riverbanks Zoo for over seven years and had internships at the Greenville Zoo and the Riverbanks Zoo.  She has worked with a variety of species, but now focuses on primates - orangutans, and small primates.  Lynn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behavior from Furman University.

Lynn enjoys most aspects of being a keeper, but her main passions are training and enrichment.  She co-leads the Training Discussion Group at Zoo Atlanta and is the Primate Department Training Coordinator.  At the workshop, she will co-lead a training discussion and give training demonstrations.