Deb Dial

Background

About Deb Dial

A dedicated animal enthusiast with 20 years of professional husbandry experience * Innovative problem solver particularly in multi-faceted situations * An expert in avian and mammalian care with an interest in all living things * Research and husbandry expertise with two-toed sloths Twenty years of professional husbandry experience both in the private sector and within AZA. Currently responsible for managing the care of multiple taxa exhibits including amphibians, fish, reptiles and 100+ birds representing approximately 50 avian species. I help to lead a team of animal care professionals with 16 members. My professional focus has been on sloth and tanager husbandry as well as animal behavior. On AZA's national level, I have spent many years as an elected steering committee member for advisory groups including the Avian Scientific Advisory Group and Pangolin, Aardvark and Xenarthra Taxon Advisory Group (PAX TAG). In addition to my full-time job as a curator, I own and operate an LLC, The Educated Zookeeper. Educated Zookeeper provides consultative services to facilities as well as free opportunities to connect zookeepers with researchers, each other and wildlife professionals. Through EdZoo, I am available to lead workshops, provide assistance to organizations retrofitting exhibits or on new builds, provide interim husbandry support and develop collection plans. Common problems addressed through consultative services include moving animals to/from exhibit easily, removing ill animals, the inability to retrieve offspring, and interpreting social behavior to prevent premature deaths. Consultative services may also include reproduction, training, recall behavior planning and collection planning.