Traci Backus Email & Phone Number

Shows-Safari World Amusement Park

-Entertain and educate guests during scheduled and unscheduled animal presentations -Plan, implement and maintain trained behaviors for multiple species, including; parrots, goats, African crested porcupines, a donkey, rats, a great horned owl, a giraffe and tortoises-Mentor and cooperate with keepers on training husbandry behaviors for animals in their areas-Complete husbandry routines for the Shows animal collection and train new staff on the routines-Research, propose and provide environmental enrichment for the Shows animal collection-Keep detailed records for husbandry, training and enrichment using ZIMS

Safari World Amusement Park

-Complete daily routines for sections of the park by ensuring attractive animal exhibits and providing a high level of care for the animals through observations, exhibit maintenance and cleaning and record keeping.-Care for a variety of exhibits including Caribbean flamingos, a lorikeet aviary, Southern ground hornbills, spider monkeys, siamangs, squirrel monkeys, the petting zoo, South American tapirs, llamas, brown pelicans, African crowned cranes, storks, medium and large parrots, snakes, green and rhinoceros iguanas, turtles, tortoises, sloth and rheas.-Train new keepers on multiple exhibits, including animal husbandry, record keeping and time management.-Ensure that zoo guest needs are met and readily answer questions and educate guests about the animals in the park.

Kids Cove

-Supervise Kids Cove, which is home to native East Tennessee wildlife and heritage breeds of livestock -Train, schedule and manage animal keepers and area attendants-Interact with guests, including creation and teaching of short educational programs-Ensure that all animal care routines are followed and make necessary adjustments as needed-Developed a new volunteer training program for Kids Cove-Clean and maintain a variety of animal exhibits; including a contact yard and aquatic mammal and nocturnal exhibits-Researched, implemented and evaluated types of environmental enrichment as a member of the Enrichment Committee-Oversight of staff integration of Kids Cove and of cross-training and shared duties, to add flexibility in staffing the area-Member of the Green Team and the animal recapture team (Dart team)-Clean and maintain a variety of guest interactive areas, including a playground, sandbox and water play area-Responsible for the health of all animals in the area and monitor it through daily observations and record keeping-Provide health maintenance schedule for animals--includes weighing, nail or hoof trims, diet adjustment and visual exams-Perform animal husbandry duties including cleaning and hosing exhibits and performing routine maintenance-Provide stimulation for each animal’s mental health through enrichment, training and keeper interactions-Completed continuing education courses in customer service, keeper chats, animal behavior management, employee training and employee communication-Cared for the program animal collection as a Keeper I, which included a fennec fox, blue and gold macaw, screech owls, amphibians and small mammals-Work at special events; Feast with the Beasts, Boo at the Zoo, Zoofari and Members’ Nights-AAZK member from 2004 to 2008 and chapter treasurer from 2005 to 2006

Knoxville, Tn

-Assisted customers with purchases and helped maintain a friendly and helpful store atmosphere-Completed sales at cash registers-Helped maintain the cleanliness of the store-Stocked product on the sales floor in an attractive manner

Knoxville, Tennessee

-Participated in all aspects of dairy farming; including animal care, large equipment operations and facilities maintenance-Cared for swine, sheep, cattle and poultry in a research environment-Acquired the basic skills required for artificially inseminating cattle

Knoxville, Tn

-Supervised, hired and trained full-time, part-time and seasonal employees-Maintained sales records and files-Ordered merchandise based on current sales and season-Organized merchandise in an attractive manner and ensured the store was presentable-Provided customer service and assisted customers in selecting pets and pet supplies-Cared for small mammals, reptiles and amphibians