About

Tracy Fenn, Founder & President

Tracy received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Louisville.  Concurrent with her education, she was employed as a zookeeper at the Louisville Zoological Garden from 1993 to 2001.  Her early work experience with woolly monkeys, geladas, lemurs, and tamarins resulted in a special interest in primates.  During the summer of 2001, she studied under Dr. Dennis Rasmussen at the Primate Refuge and Sanctuary of Panama.  From 2001 to 2003, she served as a volunteer at the Lemur Conservation Foundation, in Myakka City, Florida while also working as a veterinary technician assistant at Animal ER of University Park.  Since 2003, Tracy has been employed at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (JZG).  As a Supervisor of Mammals, she is responsible for a diverse collection of primates.  She serves as JZG’s institutional representative to nine AZA primate captive management groups.  Tracy also serves as JZG’s Behavior Husbandry Program coordinator.  She is a member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Vice-Chair of the Ape TAG, and a member of Lemur Conservation Foundation’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

John Williams, Treasurer

John Williams completed his BA degree at Morehead State University in Kentucky and his master’s degree in divinity at the Lexington Theological Seminary.  He served as the vice-president of development for twelve years at the Christian Church Homes of Kentucky, a nonprofit organization.  Since 1987, he has been the president and CEO of Retirement Care Services, Inc..  John has served on the board of directors of four other 501(c)(3) organizations and has extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising and management.

Silvia Zirkelbach, Secretary

Silvia has a BS degree in Zoology from the University of Louisville.  She is currently a Keeper III at the Louisville Zoological Garden, where she has been employed for over twenty-five years.  Silvia has specialized in the husbandry of primates, most notably woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha).  She has extensive experience in hand-rearing, introductions, troop formation, animal behavior, and operant conditioning.  Silvia has also served as an officer for theLouisville Zoo’s chapter of AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers).

Brent White, Ph.D.

Dr. Brent White holds a doctorate from Princeton University.  He is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, where he has been a faculty member since 1971.  Brent also serves as a member of the research committee at the Louisville Zoo.  He and his students have conducted numerous scientific studies on the zoo’s primate collection.  Dr. White is a leading expert concerning woolly monkeys, having spent nearly thirty years studying them.  He is also the founder and president of the Woolly Monkey Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides funding for research and conservation efforts involving woolly monkeys and their natural habitats.

Rhoda Stevenson, DVM

Dr. Rhoda Stevenson provides veterinary care for EPF’s sanctuary primates.  She is a graduate of the University of Florida Veterinary Medical School and has practiced in Jacksonville for over 20 years.  She is board certified by theAmerican Board of Veterinary Practitioners and has owned and operated the Exotic Bird Hospital since 1995.  The hospital is dedicated to excellence in bird and exotic animal health care.  Rhoda has written articles for national magazines and presented seminars for international organizations.  She is also involved with community education appearing on local television and presenting to schools, libraries, and several Florida bird clubs.  She has worked with the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, is a member of the Zoo Animal Health Committee, and is a frequent consultant for Marineland.

Sara Bennett, Ph.D.

Sara Bennett got “sucked into” the Neotropics by an interest in the ecology of migratory birds and has been pretty much “up to her neck in the swamp” ever since. For 15 years, she lived in a remote area of the Colombian Amazon, studying flowering and fruiting rhythms of rainforest trees and bird diversity patterns, painting, and taking care of whatever orphaned life form fell out of the sky (mostly infant monkeys confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade). Then the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) showed up, and that was the end of that era, she said.

Sara now operates a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center, called Maikuchiga, in the Amakayacu National Park of Colombia.  In a country notorious for violence and conflict, Sara’s goal is a “win-win” outcome, in which both wildlife populations and humans benefit from local initiatives to understand and experiment with the structure and dynamics of the system in which they are keystone predators.

Brent White, Ph.D.

Dr. Brent White holds a doctorate from Princeton University.  He is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, where he has been a faculty member since 1971.  Brent also serves as a member of the research committee at the Louisville Zoo.  He and his students have conducted numerous scientific studies on the zoo’s primate collection.  Dr. White is a leading expert concerning woolly monkeys, having spent nearly thirty years studying them.  He is also the founder and president of the Woolly Monkey Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides funding for research and conservation efforts involving woolly monkeys and their natural habitats.

Adrienne Atkins, DVM

Coming soon.

Miles for Monkeys Team

The Miles for Monkeys Team annually participates in the Human Race, a fundraising opportunity for local nonprofits provided by Hands On Jacksonville.  This 5K walk/ run event is a fun and easy way to raise money for EPF programs.  We appreciate the support of the following Miles for Monkeys Team members!

2011 Miles for Monkeys Team

2011 Miles for Monkeys Team raised $1,940:  Tracy Fenn, Paul Fenn, Jennifer Pepper, Sheryl Staaden, Erin Chancey, Brian Lohman, Steve Gott
2010 Miles for Monkeys Team raised $1,902 :  Tracy Fenn, Paul Fenn, Nadia Gordon, Sheryl Staaden, Joeymichelle Noble, Becca Thome, Steve Gott, Shannon McGrew, Cathy Flanagan

If you are interested in joining the next Miles for Monkeys Team in October 2012, contact us at info@endangeredprimate.org.

Stefanie Douglas

Animal Husbandry Volunteer

Stefanie helps take care of the primate residents living at EPF’s Primate Conservation Center.  Her tasks include feeding, cleaning, providing enrichment, and animal observation.  She is a valuable member of the EPF team!

Paul Fenn

Administrative and Animal Husbandry Volunteer

Paul serves many functions as an EPF volunteer.  His skills in graphic and web design, computer technology, and photography are incredibly important to our programs.  He also assists with animal care as needed.

Raven Pazmino

EPF Volunteer, Raven Pazmino

Animal Husbandry Volunteer

Raven is a dedicated volunteer who not only provides routine husbandry for the Primate Conservation Center residents, but also supports EPF’s fundraising events.  She is passionate about primates and learning more about them.

Jennifer Pepper

Animal Husbandry Volunteer

Jen is an important part of the Animal Husbandry team and also assists with EPF fundraising events, such as Miles for Monkeys and Pints & Pinots for Primates.  She is a valuable member of our team.

“I volunteer because these animals deserve to be happy and taken care of for the rest of their lives and if I can help make that happen then I am happy to do that. They deserve people who will fight for them and I want to be able to help EPF do that. I believe in EPF because I know what a group of passionate individuals are capable of. I see the bigger picture and I know with the right team, EPF can make a huge impact in the lives of the animals we care for and their wild counterparts and that makes me proud to be a part of it.”