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Biographies

The mission of the Wilds is approached each day by a world-class staff. The expertise and character of the Wilds staff is a powerful indicator of the advancements that lie ahead. With the leadership of these directors, the Wilds will take conservation science and education to a new level.

Evan S Blumer, V.M.D., M.S. - Executive Director

Dr. Blumer has focused his career on bridging the gap between traditional zoos and wildlife populations. His work with wildlife issues spans more than 15 countries on 5 continents. Dr. Blumer serves as a board member of the International Rhino Foundation and on the Steering Committee of the IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), and has served as Chair for the AZA's Rhino Advisory Group. He also holds faculty appointments at several colleges and universities throughout the Midwest. As Executive Director, Dr. Blumer has been the leader for major organizational change at the Wilds, initiating significant institutional advancement.

Barbara Wolfe, V.M.D, Ph.D. - Director of Wildlife and Conservation Medicine

Dr. Wolfe is one of only 90 veterinarians worldwide named diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine. She is associate editor for the journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Veterinary Advisor to the AZA's Antelope Taxon Advisory Group and member of the Wildlife Scientific Advisory Board of the Morris Animal Foundation, providing support for wildlife research worldwide. Her Ph.D. in reproductive physiology has led her to research and conservation projects throughout North America, Thailand, Laos and Costa Rica.

Nicole Cavender, Ph.D. – Chief Programmatic Officer/Director of Restoration Ecology

Dr. Cavender is the Chief Programmatic Officer and also serves as the Director for the Restoration Ecology program. Nicole received her Ph.D. from Ohio State University with a focus on prairie restoration. She has been working with the Wilds since 2002. Her extensive experience in ecology and restoration biology is vital to assess current ecological conditions, direct research and recommend land management strategies that encourage biodiversity and improve ecological function. She is extensively involved in outreach and education and holds adjunct faculty positions at both Ohio University and Muskingum College. Nicole also serves on the steering committee of the Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2). Dr. Cavender continues to work collaboratively with private, state, federal, and academic agencies to develop cooperative conservation based research projects. She has participated in the development and oversight of more than 15 such grant programs. Her publications and professional presentations cover a range of topics related to conservation, land management, restoration ecology and applied ecology.

Dan Beetem - Director of Animal Management, Husbandry and Health

Dan is a graduate of Michigan State University and went on to study reproductive physiology at Louisiana State University. His extensive background in conservation includes more than 20 years of captive management experience. He has worked at a variety of institutions across the country and was part of the animal management team that helped open Disney's Animal Kingdom. He came to the Wilds after managing the wildlife programs at a private research and breeding facility on St. Catherines Island, off the coast of Georgia. Dan serves on the steering committees for the AZA Advisory Groups for Antelope, Cervids, Equids, Giraffe, and Rhinos.

Christa Rose Kugler, B.S., M.A. - Director of Conservation Science Training

Christa earned her master’s degree in Conservation Biology from Columbia University, and bachelor’s in Forestry and Wildlife: Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech. She graduated from the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program in 2008. Christa has travelled to Kenya, Belize, Ecuador, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, and several states in the U.S. to study and work in-situ for wildlife conservation, particularly that of cats and imperiled species. She has 10 years of captive husbandry experience at two AZA-accredited zoos complimented by field work and endangered species reintroduction. Growing evermore interested in the root causes of environmental problems and interdisciplinary nature of sustainability, Christa applies her background today to the development of the Wilds' Conservation Science Training Center, and Ecological Field Station.