Saara Mccarthy Email & Phone Number

Redbank Plains, Qld, Au

Ipswich Nature Centre

Zookeeper at Ipswich Nature Centre. Primarily working with avian species

Working at Paradise Country and caring for a range of native and small exotic species

Beerwah, Queensland, Australia

Working with a range of native and small exotic mammals including wombats, possums, echidnas, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, macropods, binturongs, Asian small clawed otters and domestic livestock. All aspects of animal husbandry and training as well as facilitation of animal encounters and delivering professional public presentations. Also performing some staff management functions and have experience in a point of contact role for daily operations of the section. Very limited experience with protected contact husbandry of large African hoofstock including African white rhinos, zebra and giraffe.

West Burleigh, Queensland, Australia

Primary keeper for Tree Roo round (Lumholtz Tree Kangaroos, Proserpine Rock Wallabies, Bridled Nailtail Wallabies & Red legged pademelons). Also trained in Wildlife Interpretation round (delivering Creatures of the Night & Fleays in Flight shows) and Boardwalk round (Crocodiles, cassowaries, macropods, dingoes, emus, wetland birds, lace monitors & koalas).

Kingston, Queensland, Australia

Representing City Standards & Animal Care branch. Secondment

Southport

I was previously working in an animal management role as a part of a five member team, specifically targeting the control of introduced vertebrate pests and also the management of livestock for the City of Gold Coast.

Tasks undertaken on a regular basis included:-

- Investigation of complaints
- Implementation of control measures including trapping and baiting
- Development of pro-active pest management control programs
- Environmental monitoring using various methods including infa-red, motion sensing cameras
- Data entry and analysis
- Enforcement of Local Law 12 (Animal Management) and Subordinate Local Law 12 (Animal Management) 2013, as well as the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002.
- Interacting with residents, internal and external stakeholders over the phone, via email and in person

Coomera

I was previously employed in a cover keeping role at Dreamworld’s Australian Wildlife Experience (now known as Dreamworld Corroboree) and was trained on all rounds, including caring for birds, mammals and reptiles. I also worked in the keeper role on Sunset Safaris, taking guests on special back of house tours at night, during school holidays.

Tasks undertaken on a regular basis included:-

- Cleaning, presentation and other maintenance of enclosures
- Preparing food and feeding a range of mammals, reptiles, fish and birds
- Handling and interacting with a range of animals including mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds
- Restraining animals and assisting with veterinary procedures
- Keeping accurate daily records for animals under my care
- Facilitating public interaction with animals, such as snake and crocodile photos
- Managing and training new staff

In addition to my main duties, I was also the WSA (World Safety Ambassadors) representative for the Life Science Department

I was previously employed in the Wildlife Department of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. I worked in a cover keeping role since the beginning of July 2010 and was trained on all rounds, including caring for birds, mammals and reptiles. I also worked casually as a tour guide on Wildnight Adventure Tours, taking guests on guided tours through the sanctuary at night.

Tasks undertaken on a regular basis included:-

- Cleaning, presentation and other maintenance of enclosures, including aquariums
- Preparing food and feeding a range of reptiles, fish, birds and mammals
- Testing and maintaining water quality in aquariums and ponds
- Handling, interacting with and training a range of animals including reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals
- Keeping accurate daily records for animals under my care.
- Giving keeper presentations such as the “Crocodile Encounter” and appearing as a guest speaker for educational programs directed at both adults and children.
- Giving guided tours of the park to groups of visitors
- Facilitating public interaction with animals, such as koala and crocodile photos.
- Coordinating volunteers

In addition to my cover keeping duties, one of my main reasons for employment was to work on the Frog Safe House Project- keeping, breeding for release and researching the critically endangered Spotted Tree Frog (Litoria spenceri) and Eungella Tinker Frog (Taudactylus liemi). As a part of the team, I was lucky enough to be put in charge for three months in 2010 when the head keeper was on annual leave.

I was previously employed at the Pet Barn, overseeing the Reptile and Small animal departments. I also had experience in the aquarium, bird and puppy/ kitten departments.


My main responsibilities included:

- Setting up, cleaning and maintaining enclosures for various animals including turtles, snakes, lizards, invertebrates (spiders and scorpions), poultry, and rodents.
- Food preparation and feeding various animals, as mentioned above.
- Handling a range of animals as mentioned above.
- Water testing in turtle tanks
- Accurate note taking and data recording in reptile department
- Cash handling and using an EFTPOS machine
- Customer service including the provision of information and advice
- Managing and training new staff
- Stocking an facing shelves

The Natural Areas Management Unit is the custodian of all of Gold Coast City Councils conservation areas. Within this unit, I was a member of the Operations team, which are the on- ground managers of the Natural Areas Management Unit estate. In addition to my TAFE study, as a trainee I was required to generally assist and learn from other staff members in their day to day duties.

Tasks undertaken on a regular basis included:-

- Monitoring of native and pest animal species using sand plots, hair funnel tubes and infrared cameras
- Research and data entry
- Responding to councilor and customer requests
- Liaising with internal and external stakeholders in person and via phone and email
- Conducting educational programs for children and adults, including day time walks, spotlight adventures and interactive workshops, which I have lead in the past. I also wrote the four walk outlines for the spotlight adventures.
- Conducting patrols of protected areas
- Driving four- wheel drives
- Using a chainsaw
- Mapping using EasiMaps (MapInfo).

I have done some work for NatureCall, taking educational wildlife walks during school holiday periods. The majority of these walks are spotlights held in the evening.

My main responsibilities have been as follows:

- Transportation of the animals used in the wildlife demonstration
- Organising relevant equipment such as spotlights, first aid kits and sign-on sheets.
- Leading a guided tour of a Conservation Area, with an educational talk.
- Coordinating a group of attendees that includes children

Bachelor Of Science With Honours, Wildlife Management & Marine Biology

Certificate Iv, Training & Assessment

Cert Iii Captive Animals

Cert Ii Conservation And Landmangement (Natural Area Restoration)

Education record