Staff

Staff at the Magnetic Hill Zoo

The Magnetic Hill Zoo is staffed with twelve full-time personnel on a year round basis, as well as, an abundance of seasonal employees during the Zoo’s high tourist season from May - September every year. We are also fortunate to have a very active group of volunteers, the Friends of the Zoo, to host our many annual fundraising events to support the continuing improvement and expansion of our animal habitats and our growing educational initiatives.

The Magnetic Hill Zoo owes its success to the hard work and dedication of these individuals. Their continuous efforts to ensure that the Zoo maintains its CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited status and exceptional reputation for high standards involving the care of our indigenous and exotic species.

Bruce Dougan

Manager

Bruce is responsible for the management of all aspects of the Zoo’s operation. Reporting directly to him are the Animal Care & Maintenance Foremen, the Visitor & Education Programs Coordinator, and the Administrative Assistant. Bruce is responsible for all marketing of the Zoo and is the Zoo's direct contact for promotions, advertisement, and media information. He is an active member of CAZA and an advisor to the CAZA Board of Directors. He is also the co-founder of the Friends of the Magnetic Hill Zoo, the Zoo’s volunteer fundraising group. Bruce joined the Magnetic Hill Zoo in 1989 and has an extensive work history in Zookeeping and Zoo Administration gained while working at Marineland and the African Lion Safari.

Chuck Mason

Zoo Maintenance Foreman

Chuck is responsible for the Maintenance division of the Magnetic Hill Zoo. All maintenance labour staff report to him including Carpenters, Horticulturists, casual & student Labourers, and Janitors.  The maintenance department is responsible for all new construction and repairs of zoo property, overseeing contracted construction work, park cleanliness, grounds maintenance, and snow removal. 

Bernie Gallant

Zoo Animal Care Foreman

Bernie is responsible for the Animal Care division of the Magnetic Hill Zoo. All full time, casual, and student Animal Care staff report directly to Bernie, including Zookeepers and the Commissary Attendant. His responsibilities include the management of the animal collection and the animal care staff. This includes overseeing all animal records, emergency, animal care training, permits, assisting the Senior Zookeepers to manage their individual sections, and act as a liaison between Animal Care staff, the rest of the zoo staff, and the public.

Bernie received his Bachelor of Agriculture degree with a major in Animal Science from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, NS. He also received his MBA from the University of Moncton. Bernie worked as a Zookeeper for 20 years at the Magnetic Hill Zoo, caring for the reptiles, large carnivores, large hoovestock, and invertebrate collections. During his Zookeeper years, he became well known in the community for his live animal presentations. Over the years, he has played an active role in the development of the Volunteer and Educational programs at the Zoo.

Cathy Simon

Visitor & Education Programs Coordinator

Cathy has been working in the Magnetic Hill Zoo’s Education Department since 1999. She started as a day camp counsellor for 3 summers and is now the Visitor & Education Programs Coordinator on a fulltime basis. Her responsibilities at the Zoo include: special events; zoo tours; animal signage; and on & off-site live animal presentations; and managing the Adopt a Friend, Birthday Party, Day Camp, and Volunteer Programs. Reporting directly to her are a team of seasonal summer students and part-time birthday party hostesses.

Cathy graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Kinesiology and Bachelor of Elementary Education degrees. She also has her New Brunswick Teacher’s license.

Arlene Reade

Administrative Assistant

Arlene provides ongoing administrative support to the General Manager of the Magnetic Hill Zoo.   Arlene is responsible for the management of the Admissions Box Office, Wild Things Gift Boutique, Food Service, and the Zoo Administration Office.  Reporting directly to her are the Admissions Supervisor, Gift Shop Supervisor,  Food Concessions Supervisor, and a team of seasonal summer students.

Jamie Carson

Senior Zookeeper of Birds and Primates

Jamie is responsible for the care of all the Zoo’s bird and primate collections. Jamie first started working as a student Zookeeper in 1994 and gained full time status in 1998.

Jamie received his Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College/Dalhousie University. His undergraduate thesis was based on a study of the Behaviour of Zoo-Housed primates. Jamie is a licensed Avian Judge with the APA, ABA & CPFA; and is one of only two Canadians to be licensed with all three of these organizations. He has completed several courses and training programs which include, bovine artificial insemination, avian flock management, and training and handling of Birds of Prey for free flying demonstrations from the African Lion Safari.

Tiffany Bateman

Senior Zookeeper of Reptiles, Insects and Large Mammals

Tiffany is responsible for the care of all reptiles, insects and large mammals at the Magnetic Hill Zoo. Tiffany first came to the Zoo as day camper in the Zoo’s Animal Care Apprentice camp. She later completed her high school co-op program in the Zoo’s Animal Care division and was hired as a summer student Zookeeper in 1998. Tiffany worked several years in Animal Care as a student, then casual Zookeeper; and was the interim Senior Zookeeper of Reptiles, Insects, and Large Mammals for part of 2007-2008 before coming back to the same position on a fulltime capacity mid 2009.

Tiffany graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a in Major Animal Science. She also has a certificate in falconry.

Jennifer Blair

Senior Zookeeper of Domestic Animals and Equine

Jennifer was first hired as a casual worker in 1996. For many years, she was a key relief keeper. She mostly worked with the birds and primates. In 2010, she became a fulltime Utility VI Zookeeper and in charge of a group of animals. She is responsible for the health and well-being of all the domestic species as well as various small mammals including Coatimundi, raccoons and river otters.  Jennifer has played an important role in many of the zoo’s fundraisers but mostly our annual Boo at the Zoo. 

Jennifer received her Bachelor degree from McGill University in Montreal. Jennifer also ran a pig farm for numerous years along with other domestic species.

Tom Curry

Commissary Attendant

Tom has been operating the Commissary at the Magnetic Hill Zoo since 1997. He oversees the preparation of all animal diets, deworming, vitamin supplements, and the stocking and ordering of all dietary requirements for animals at the Magnetic Hill Zoo.

Gerry Robichaud and Douglas Kearns

Carpenters

Both Gerry and Doug have received their New Brunswick Journeyman/Carpenter's License. They are jointly responsible for the construction, improvement, and expansion of all animal habitats, and building structures throughout the Zoo.

Tony Duplissis

Zookeeper - Utility II

Tony works in all Animal Care sections of the Magnetic Hill Zoo since 1984. He provides continuous assistance to the Zoo’s three Senior Zookeepers on an as required basis, with particular concentration on reptiles, insects, and large mammals. Tony also volunteers his time and talent as the Zoo’s resident photographer.