Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Ashlyn Surratt

Brackley,Northamptonshire

Summary

Proactive aviculture professional with hands-on experience in diverse bird collections, welfare-led husbandry, positive reinforcement training, and public engagement. Skilled in behavioural observation, enrichment design, preventative healthcare support, and ZIMS record management. Committed to high welfare standards, conservation, and collaborative teamwork.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Supplemental Instruction Leader

Carroll University
Waukesha, Wisconsin
2022.05 - 2025.05
  • Facilitated peer-led biology study sessions and communicated complex concepts clearly and effectively.

Avian Seasonal Keeper

Birmingham Zoo
Birmingham, Alabama
2024.05 - 2024.08
  • Delivered daily husbandry for 65+ lorikeets (4 species) and mixed avian collection, including cranes, vultures, passerines, and other specialist species.
  • Prepared diets, monitored behaviour and health, and maintained high enclosure and biosecurity standards.
  • Implemented positive reinforcement training, including voluntary scale training, to support preventative healthcare.
  • Designed enrichment and maintained accurate daily welfare and husbandry records in ZIMS.
  • Delivered keeper talks and reported concerns promptly to senior staff.

Avian Season Keeper

Birmingham Zoo
Birmingham, Alabama
2023.06 - 2023.09
  • Delivered daily husbandry for 65+ lorikeets (4 species).
  • Prepared diets, monitored behaviour and health, and maintained high enclosure and biosecurity standards.
  • Implemented positive reinforcement training, including voluntary scale training, to support preventative healthcare.
  • Designed enrichment and maintained accurate daily welfare and husbandry records in ZIMS.
  • Delivered keeper talks and reported concerns promptly to senior staff.

Bird Department Intern

Nashville Zoo
Nashville, Tennessee
2022.05 - 2022.08
  • Prepared avian diets and maintained aviaries and food preparation areas to high cleanliness standards.
  • Conducted target training and created enrichment for multiple species, including flamingos.
  • Assisted with perch construction and entered husbandry data into ZIMS.
  • Engaged visitors through keeper talks and informal interpretation.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Biology and Animal Behaviour

Carroll University
Waukesha, Wisconsin
2021.08 - 2025.05

Skills

    Avian Husbandry

    Diet Preparation

    Enrichment Design

    Positive Reinforcement & Target Training

    ZIMS

    Behavioural Observation

    Public Engagement

Certification

San Diego Wildlife Alliance - Certificate in Animal Care - December 2023

Timeline

Avian Seasonal Keeper

Birmingham Zoo
2024.05 - 2024.08

Avian Season Keeper

Birmingham Zoo
2023.06 - 2023.09

Supplemental Instruction Leader

Carroll University
2022.05 - 2025.05

Bird Department Intern

Nashville Zoo
2022.05 - 2022.08

Bachelor of Science - Biology and Animal Behaviour

Carroll University
2021.08 - 2025.05
Ashlyn Surratt