Leaders
Jessica McKelson
Jessica has worked at Melbourne Zoo for 9 years and is currently the Supervisor for the Primate Department, specialising in
.jpg "null")
Orangutan Husbandry and Management.
Jessica travelled to Indonesia 8 years ago and witnessed firsthand the destruction of the rainforests for unsustainable palm oil plantations and the impact this was having on orangutans and other species. Believing that the extinction of orangutans could become a reality in her lifetime, she became more actively involved in conservation programs that aimed to protect and conserve both orangutan habitat and the species.
Jessica was awarded the prestigious The Pratt Foundation/ISS Institute Fellowship sponsored by The Pratt Foundation in 2006. This enabled Jess to spend four months in Indonesia in 2007 working with a wide range of conservation oganisations in Kalimantan and in Sumatra. She also spent significant time involved with the world's largest primate rescue centre, Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. There she developed an array of specialist programs and skills. For a copy of her report, “Indonesian Conservation Management Practices and the Australian Zoo Industry” contact International Specialised Skills Institute Inc.
Jessica also actively supports Flora and Fauna International's (FFI) 'Sumatran Elephant Conservation Program' in North Sumatra. As a part of this program she has worked alongside ex-illegal loggers as well as with the local community to help protect and save their natural resources by habitat conservation of the nearby Gunung Leuser National Park.
Jessica has developed the following programs to assist in this protection:
- Developed and co-ordinated the planting of a 1ha Elephant Conservation Garden as an educational resource to highlight sustainable and organic farming methods.
- Worked with the Conservation Response Unit to refine their ecotourism program.
- Liaised with representatives from Deakin University to implement a Forest Ranger Training program.
- Initiated a Conservation Teachers' Training Workshop whereby 14 local teachers and principals devised a conservation program that could be implemented in their schools
- Facilitated a skill sharing program which enabled 4 of the mahouts to come to Australia and work with elephant keepers at Melbourne Zoo
- Taught English to the mahouts and the rangers to enrich their interactions with the tourists.
Jessica's work has been well-documented in the Australian media. She is well known in the primate world for her commitment to conservation, community activities and education programs
Most recently, Jessica has established Raw Wildlife Encounters as a means of enabling people to experience and support the community and animals to which she has committed herself.
Mark Keenan
Mark is an outdoor person who loves to get off the beaten track to explore and experience the wonders of nature.
He gained a degree from Deakin University in Environmental Management with the goal of pursuing a career in conservation. He began working at the Melbourne Aquarium in the role of Visitor Education where he focused on providing an insight into the ecology of the Southern Ocean and the need for the protection of this complex ecosystem.
Currently Mark is employed by Melbourne Zoo (MZ) specifically in the Trail of the Elephants Precinct. Here, he was given an opportunity to work as an elephant trainer, this being especially rewarding as he was present when MZ acquired three young female elephants from Thailand. This gave Mark the experience to work with a family elephant group.
His current role sees him as a key manager in operations at Melbourne Zoo's Orangutan Sanctuary. This again has enabled him to actively promote community awareness of the environmental and conservation issues facing S.E.Asia. He is also keen to show how all people can actively engage to facilitate change.
It was inevitable that his passion for orangutans has resulted in Mark becoming actively involved with organisations which contribute to the conservation and public awareness of the plight of these intelligent primates.
He accompanied Jess to Tangkahan in 2009 and assisted her with the organisation of the tour group and as well as the interpretation of both the conservation and cultural issues of the region. This also gave him the change to observe the devastating effect that habitat destruction has on the indigenous animal populations. Whilst there, he continued to work co-operatively with the local community to develop practical ways to help it achieve its vision of a sustainable ecotourism industry and of habitat protection.
His knowledge of wildlife and his sense of fun and adventure have made him a perfect addition to the Raw Wildlife Encounters team.
