Elsie Pieterse

 

SHAPE–Africa Secretary

 

My name is Elsie Pieterse and I work at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG) in the city of Pretoria. I am a Nature Conservator/ Animal Keeper and currently have primates and Cape fur seals under my care.

I have worked at the zoo for 13 years, 5 of which were spent as a volunteer. I was permanently employed on the March 1, 1999. Several animals have entered my life in these 13 years and I have built up a lot of experience. I worked on the bird section for 2 years and gained experience in hand rearing chicks and the incubation of eggs. I am also passionate about carnivores. I worked with them for almost 6 years and hand-reared 2 lion cubs and a few smaller cat species during that time.

 

I have been blessed to work with the chimpanzees, marmosets, lemurs, and other monkeys and baboons for the past 4 years. The seals are my biggest passion. I aim to start a research project on the seals. I am currently gaining experience on seal husbandry training so that I can proactively look after them.

 

I became a professional member of the Animal Keepers Association of Africa (AKAA) in 2006 and am also the secretary of the SHAPE—Africa committee.  I am very proud and excited to create enrichment workshops so that I may learn from and teach others about enrichment for all captive animals that are the wonders of nature.

 

 

Secretary responsibilities:

 

1. Take and/or collect minutes at all meetings (Skype and in person).

2. Distribute minutes to the executive committee.

3. Facilitate communication among executive committee members, under the direction of the chairperson. 

4. Manage and file relevant and important documentation.

5. Coordinate the monthly newsletter by chairing the permanently standing newsletter organisational committee.

6. Assist in the facilitation of workshops / lectures around Africa under the direction of the events co-ordinator.

7. Liaise with and undertake all administrative duties as required by the executive committee.

8. Personally and professionally promote animal enrichment in a positive light and refrain from any act that may bring you as an individual and subsequently the organization into disrepute. 

 

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