-Let’s meet Alexander! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I was always this kid who loved Dinosaurs, and other monsters, like Godzilla; watching movies like Jurassic Park on repeat. From 5 years old, when I moved to Florida, I was immediately intrigued by the variety of wildlife here, my favorites being Reptiles and amphibians. I read books, I would go outside and explore in my backyard, and watched Animal Planet, which introduced me to Steve Irwin, who inspired me to be like him, this wildlife warrior who not only protected animals and educated the world about how cool they are, but also laughed in the face of danger as he wowed the crowds through the displaying of the Crocodiles power and beauty. His ambition and jumpy personality stuck with me strongly, making me want to be like him. Every time I went outside, I would encounter lizards, frogs, bugs, and even Alligators. He truly laid the groundwork for older me, this passion furthering into what would eventually become my career choice, Zoology.
-How did you benefit from your experience at ABI?
ABI made me feel like my first steps into the world of animal care were officially documented. ABI taught me many valuable things about the zoological field in a very simple, digestible, and time friendly way that made me not have to worry about anything like confusion of the subject material, since the teachers were always ready to assist. It allowed me to relax and really absorb what was being taught to me, and I learned so much from it all, all of which I carry with me into my current day job and future career.
-What was your favorite course?
I felt like every course had something of value to it, teaching me aspects of the animal care industry that I did not think too much about previously, like the delicacies of medical care, and the behavioral side effects of dietary routine. My favorite course however was when we learned how to use ZIMS, the online database to document pretty much everything relating to a facility and the animals in them. It taught me how to make notes, what to document, and even an organized format for enclosure set up. It made me feel professional, almost like a Jurassic Park operator in the control room.
-How did you complete your field experience?
At the time of taking my classes, I got my first job as a reptile zookeeper and a tour guide, a job I loved with all my heart. I used my paychecks from this job to continue my classes until I finally finished. Because this job was reptile care involving Crocodiles and Alligators, it was a rare and perfect fit for me to gain hands-on experience, and get paid for it too, even if it was my first job ever.
-What have you been doing since you graduated from ABI?
The animal industry is tough to progress with lots of competition. Even if things have been slower than I feel comfortable with, I have never given up in my pursuit to work with Crocodilians. With the experience from my previous job, and the completion of my ABI classes, I plan to use this and further experiences to become a powerhouse of expertise and insight in the reptile handling world as my goal. At the moment, I work at an alligator park/ golf course, where I do enrichment shows, practicing my training techniques with Alligators as large as 9ft. My mentor goes by the name of The Gator Crusader, and due to his 30 years experience of working with alligators, he has taught me everything I know so far about actual alligator training and safety. We both were able to go to St Augustine Alligator Farm for 2026 Winter CrocFest, where I got to meet some of the big names in the business, and partake in the conservation efforts to help the East Indian Gharial. I even have an application sent out for St Augustine Alligator Farms Crocodilian Biology & Management Class, eagerly waiting to see if I will be accepted this year. This is just the start of what I have planned. I don’t intend to stop making connections and learning as much as I can about the Crocodilian conservation world, and ABI has been a strong helping hand in every step of the way.
-Would you recommend ABI to others?
I have already recommended several people who are curious about the animal industry to get started with ABI. Like I said earlier, it’s an easy, digestible, and time friendly way to learn something special, and gain valuable experience as a stepping stone for the Zoological world. Remaining determined to get into ABI was one of the best decisions I have made for my career. I highly recommend Animal Behavior Institute without a shadow of a doubt.