Nichta Hopps Email & Phone Number

San Diego, CA

• Clean, repair damage, and prepare bird and mammal specimens for permanent collection
• Catalog and curate collection; field work; GIS
• Edit, research, and review information for publication; editorial assistant for San Diego County Mammal Atlas

San Diego, CA

• Rescue and retrieve injured raptors, seabirds, small birds, small mammals; provide field stabilization
• Feed hatchling to adult birds (tube, syringe, stick, hand); prep formulas and food; administer oral, injectable, and topical medications (raptors, corvids, seabirds, waterfowl, songbirds)
• Administer vaccinations, create and provide enrichment, feeding, enclosure cleaning (raccoons)
• Assist medical exams; prep and analyze fecal samples; record patient progress; release rehabbed animals
• Give presentations on native wildlife, natural history, and coexisting with wildlife responsibly

San Diego, CA

• Prep animal diets, feed birds, monitor food intake; observe, identify, and count birds daily, act on observations
• Maintain records: physical and behavioral observations, health records, egg and reproductive information
• Administer topical, oral, and injectable medications; assist with veterinary procedures
• Measure feedings, tube feed, restrain, medicate and hydrate (oral, injectable) rehab sea lions; clean enclosures
• Give presentations to guests and education groups on avian management and natural history
• Provide total care for flamingo flock and freshwater turtles at seasonal Aquatica park with no supervision

San Diego, CA

• Conduct public tours in behind-the-scenes areas; conduct scheduled penguin presentations
• Present animals for educational interactions (small mammals, small reptiles, invertebrates) and assist with other animal presentations (birds, large mammals, large reptiles); enclosure cleaning; present reindeer, staff.
• Educate park guests and groups about marine animals and conservation at all animal exhibits throughout the park
• Lead sleepover programs for campers and families as counselor, activity leader, and coordinator
• Perform extemporaneous narrations, interactions, and activities with high energy and a positive attitude

Fallbrook, CA

• Incubate and hand-rear 35 species of exotic birds: toucans, hornbills, aracaris, toucanets, macaws, cockatoos
• Syringe feed hatchling to juvenile birds; enclosure cleaning, feeding, prep fecal samples; general husbandry
• Capture and restrain birds; administer medications (oral, topical); assist with in-house bird moves

Chula Vista, CA

• Prepare animal diets dependent on age and foraging abilities, feed birds, monitor food intake
• Monitor birds' movements and reactions to external stimuli to determine readiness for release; maintain records
• Observe, identify, and count birds daily; act on observations; capture birds, assist with release
• Forage crustaceans and other invertebrates as additional food source; maintain and repair perimeter
• Time period spans 2014 season

Rancho Santa Fe, CA

• Prep animal diets, administer medications, provide enrichment, enclosure cleaning, general husbandry (parrots, small birds, horses, sheep, goats, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates)
• Conduct outreach programs, on-site and off-site presentations, and Center tours utilizing animal ambassadors
• Instruct educational classes about animals and their care; conduct personalized DogSmart programs
• Lead Critter Camp classes, supervise children, direct and utilize volunteers
• Write age appropriate curriculum for PreK-8th grade for a variety of programs

San Diego, CA

• Construct ethograms recording prenatal and postnatal data (elephants, Micronesian kingfishers, gorillas)
• Native plant propagation and habitat restoration for species of special concern (California cactus wren)
• Collect data from captured animals to monitor status of sensitive ecosystem (reptiles, mammals, arthropods)
• Record behavioral observations (pandas); operate web cams (pandas, polar bears, elephants, apes)
• Assist behind-the-scenes tours and programs, lead groups

San Diego, CA

• Staff petting paddock: enclosure cleaning, guest assistance, ensure animal safety (goats, sheep, mini horses)
• Present animals ambassadors for special programs and educational interactions (tarantula, blue-tongued skink)
• Conduct tour groups through zoo; run tech booth for seminars and presentations
• Lead sleepover activities, supervise children, setup and take down camp site, resolve guest issues

La Jolla, CA

• Prepare measured feedings; administer medications (oral, topical); respond to medical and other emergencies
• Monitor and record group and individual health and behavior (dogs, cats); train new associates
• Conduct walks, playtimes, enrichment; resolve fear and aggression issues

Julian, CA

• Food prep including butchering; feeding, enclosure cleaning, maintenance, general husbandry; record observations (endangered Mexican grey wolves, Alaskan grey wolves)
• Assist captures, veterinary checks, releases; work within SSP guidelines
• Lead tours and conduct educational presentations regarding wolves and conservation
• Provide development, administrative, and facilities management support

Suffolk, VA

• Live collection and cataloging of indigenous animals (turtles, fish); field work
• Food prep, feeding, enclosure cleaning, general observations, record keeping (endangered blackbanded sunfish)
• Data collection and entry; database management and development
• Work within state husbandry guidelines; educational program assistance, community service