Erik Heinonen

Zookeeper at Miller Park Zoo (2006-05 – 2026-08)

Basic husbandry
Educate guests
Supervise interns, volunteers, and Junior Zookeepers
Coordinate education animal collection usage
Enter data into ZIMS record keeping system
Maintain stocks and buy and order supplies
Design and create small exhibits
Train seals and sea lions
Train bobcat for thrice weekly fluid injections
Hand raise mother-rejected snow leopard cubs and tamandua pup
Coordinate shoot team, qualified on shotgun, hold FOID card
Appear in live videos broadcast on the zoo's Facebook page and interact with viewers
Assist in developing protocol for new species to area
Research and implement daily paid budgie feedings for guests
Conceptualized WildLights winter holiday event
Initiated and chaired animal welfare committee
Prepared zoo for AZA accreditation inspection
Trained other staff to comply with USDA Plant Pest Quarantine (PPQ) protocols
Coordinated and transported red wolf pups to North Carolina in order to reintroduce to natural habitat
Institutional representative to AZA Animal Welfare Committee, as well as some SSP/SAFE programs
Prepare animal shipments and accompany outgoing animals to airport

Zookeeper at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (2000-07 – 2006-05)

Small Mammal House, Chimp Building, Maryland Wilderness, Children's Zoo, and Giraffe Building

Basic husbandry
Hand raised mother-rejected chimpanzees
Gave daily insulin shots to diabetic lion-tailed macaque
Educated guests
Supervised volunteers
Engaged in behavioral management professional development, including chicken training

Zookeeper at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (1998-06 – 2000-06)

Small Mammals, Riverbanks Farm

Intern at Minnesota Zoo (1997-06 – 1997-08)

Intern at Cincinnati Zoo (1996-06 – 1996-08)

Bird House and Cat House

Intern at Rio Grande Zoo (1995-06 – 1995-09)

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