Niki Tracchia

I do both off and on site educational programs with non-releasable native wildlife; birds of prey, reptiles and amphibians. This includes saftely placing and removing the animals in and out of travel enclosures and keeping the animals and guests safe during programs.

These programs help people better understand Massachusetts wildlife while teaching them why they should care about them, and ways to help them stay wild with small actions in their every day lives.

I am co-owner, animal caretaker and educator. I clean, feed, water and provide enrichment for over 90 surrendered animals. This includes a variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Each animal serves as an ambassador for their species to teach appreciation and understanding through interactive experience during educational programs.

I clean, water and feed the birds of prey while also providing enrichment for them. This may be a new item in their enclosure or time outside under my supervision while handing each bird individually. also clean and water the turtles and rodents.

The Blue Hills Trailside Museum is a natural history museum that features indoor and outdoor exhibits f non-releasable native wildlife, providing education about the natural world of Massachusetts.

I work closely with soclalized gray wolves, arctic and gray foxes and eastern coyotes. I assist with cleaning and feeding certain animals, and assist under supervision to socialize certain species. I give guided nature walks teaching ecology and do tours of the center or presentstions for one species of animal to the public for that particular day or event. I also help with projects and set up or break down when to open and close the center.

TWMNC is a volunteer based non profit nature center dedicated to the natural world and the spirit of the wolf; past, present and future.

I did educational animal programs working with 10-12 animals per show and educated the public about more then 40 species of animal in my 8 years here. For the majority of those years I also did animal care for these animals on a weekly basis, until my last year. This includes, but is not limited to: chinchllas, skunks, flying squirrels, rabbits, ferrets. emu, parrots, alligators, variety of large and small snakes tegu lizards, red footed and African spur thigh tortoises, variety of geckos and frogs, tarantulas and scoprions, as well as other invertebrates

Curious Creatures provides live interactive hands- on animal shows for birthday parties, schools, farmer's markets, summer celebrations, special needs, corporate events and more.

I left in May 2023 due to the mental ilness of the owner and lack of updated knowledge on animal care. The schedule was over booked and the company was understaffed for the last 5 of my 8 years with no desire from the ofice to change it. My concerns and efforts to problem solve and work as a team went ignored or silenced. became untrusted for voicing my concerns and was no longer respected or appreciated for the hard work had put in for so many years. stayed as long as I could for the sake of the animals until these issues had a negative effect on my mentel, emotional and physical well-being, as well as other staff who have since left. I expect more from people who are responsible for both the care of animals, as well as properly educating others on their needs.

I worked closely with socialized gray wolves and a wolf dog hybrid doing animal care, public education and property maintenance. My main role was to water animals and socialize with them before opening. greet visitors and collect their admission tickets and answer visitor questions after the main presentations.

Wolf Hollow is made up of a team of volunteers in efforts to educate the public on the importance of wolves in wild wild, and correcting common myths about the wolf as told in folklore.

I decided to leave Wolf Hollow due to drama within the owner's family and some staff, which made my position there very uncomfortable and difficult to manage without stress. I am still on good terms with the owner, and have put all of this behind me since I left.

I was responsible for assisting with clients, safetly restraining animals for check ups, cleaning visitor rooms and laundry, assisting with lab work, accompanying animals coming out of anesthesia and handing supplies to the Vet and Vet Techs during some surgeries.

My time here was very short as I quickly realized it wasn't for me. Too many elderly or sick animals abandoned by their owners when it came time to euthanize them. Customers very untrusting and rude during check ups. Lot's of inner ofice drama that was impossible to avoid and caused unnecessary problems in the work environment.