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Biographies

The mission of the Wilds is approached each day by a world-class staff. The expertise and character of the Wilds staff is a powerful indicator of the advancements that lie ahead. With the leadership of these directors, the Wilds will take conservation science and education to a new level.

Evan S Blumer, V.M.D., M.S. - Executive Director

Dr. Blumer has focused his career on bridging the gap between traditional zoos and wildlife populations. His work with wildlife issues spans more than 15 countries on 5 continents. Dr. Blumer serves as a board member of the International Rhino Foundation and on the Steering Committee of the IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), and has served as Chair for the AZA's Rhino Advisory Group. He also holds faculty appointments at several colleges and universities throughout the Midwest. As Executive Director, Dr. Blumer has been the leader for major organizational change at the Wilds, initiating significant institutional advancement.

Barbara Wolfe, V.M.D, Ph.D. - Director of Wildlife and Conservation Medicine

Dr. Wolfe is one of only 90 veterinarians worldwide named diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine. She is associate editor for the journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Veterinary Advisor to the AZA's Antelope Taxon Advisory Group and member of the Wildlife Scientific Advisory Board of the Morris Animal Foundation, providing support for wildlife research worldwide. Her Ph.D. in reproductive physiology has led her to research and conservation projects throughout North America, Thailand, Laos and Costa Rica.

Nicole Cavender, Ph.D. - Director of Restoration Ecology

Dr. Cavender focuses her expertise on the nearly 10,000 acres of land that makes up the Wilds. Her extensive experience in ecology and restoration biology is vital to assess current ecological conditions, direct research and recommend land management strategies that encourage biodiversity and improve ecological function. She is a board member of the Foundation for Environmental Research, adjunct professor of Conservation Science at Muskingum College and recently appointed to the Steering Committee of the Butterfly Conservation Initiative. Dr. Cavender continues to work with private, state, and federal agencies to develop cooperative land based research projects. Her manuscripts and publications cover a range of research related to land management and restoration ecology. She has authored and co-authored 10 published papers available for review.

Dan Beetem - Director of Animal Management, Husbandry and Health

Dan is a graduate of Michigan State University and went on to study reproductive physiology at Louisiana State University. His extensive background in conservation includes more than 20 years of captive management experience. He has worked at a variety of institutions across the country and was part of the animal management team that helped open Disney's Animal Kingdom. He came to the Wilds after managing the wildlife programs at a private research and breeding facility on St. Catherines Island, off the coast of Georgia. Dan serves on the steering committees for the AZA Advisory Groups for Antelope, Cervids, Equids, Giraffe, and Rhinos.

Christa Rose Kugler, M.S. - Director of Conservation Education

Christa earned her master’s degree in Conservation Biology from Columbia University, and bachelor’s in Forestry and Wildlife: Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech. She graduated from the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program during which she helped create a jaguar conservation curriculum for elementary school children that is accessible online. Christa has travelled to Kenya, Belize, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, and several states in the U.S. to study and work in-situ for wildlife conservation, particularly that of imperiled species. She has 10 years of captive husbandry experience at two AZA-accredited zoos. Today, Christa applies her background where it counts: conservation education. Exposure to, and the personal experience of conservation issues, creates an informed public, and encourages wise decision making to the benefit of us all.