Platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus ‘...It’s actually platypuses’

Featured Speaker: Luis Ochoa is Lead Wildlife Care Specialist for the Australia/Upper Village area of the San Diego Safari Park. He is one of the primary platypus care specialist (for the only platypuses outside of Australia!) and also works with the kangaroos, wallabies, small ungulates, and Rodrigues flying fox.

Luis was born in El Paso, Texas and graduated from New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. Before he was hired at the Safari Park, Luis worked at various rescues and sanctuaries with animals ranging from cheetahs, bears, and binturongs. He also worked as a Safari Park volunteer, a tour guide, and a volunteer coordinator. In 2014 he joined the mammal department as a wildlife care specialist for the South Africa field enclosure where he had the privilege of caring for northern white rhinos, Angalifu and Nola.

When the new Walkabout Australia was being created, Luis was selected to be one of the first wildlife care specialists to form the Australia string and helped prepare our mob of kangaroos for opening day. More recently his assignment shifted to the platypuses, and in preparation for their arrival, Luis spent 2 months in Australia working with experts at the Taronga, Healesville, and Melbourne . Once he returned, he played an integral role in the layout and design of the platypus care area and tunnel system. He also was key in the transition of the platypus from their home in Sydney, Australia to their new habitat in the Safari Park.

Program: Luis will talk about the challenges the organization faced in the months (and years) leading up to the arrival of the platypuses. He will also discuss their daily care schedule, features of the platypusary, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s goals for the platypuses moving forward.

Program Topic and/or Speakers are subject to change Reservation Page Deadline – April 14, 2021

The April 15th Webinar is a free event created exclusively for Ocelots members. Please consider a donation to the Ocelots Grants Program. Your support helps enrich animal care and their habitats, expands scientific discovery in animal health and conservation, and connects people with wildlife through education and awareness.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) has asked that all donations to the Ocelots Grants Program go directly to SDZWA using one of the two tax-deductible options below:

1. Online via credit card at our secure link available on the Ocelots Donation Website

2. Via check made payable to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (with “Ocelots Grants Program” in the memo line) and mailed to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, ATTN Sara Weiner, Philanthropy Department, P.O. Box 120551 San Diego, CA 92112-0551

With many staff working from home, it is not currently possible to reach our Ocelots Advisor, Adviselot Sara Weiner by phone for a credit card payment. If you have questions, please email Sara at [email protected] Thank you