The Committee

Ryne Ferguson is a dedicated animal care and conservation professional with over 23 years of experience working and volunteering in zoological facilities across the globe. His career has spanned multiple continents, giving him the opportunity to work with a wide range of species and collaborate with experts in wildlife conservation, animal behaviour, and education.

Specialising in animal behaviour management, conservation, and education, Ryne is committed to promoting the highest standards of animal welfare, public safety, and professional development within the animal care field. His passion for connecting people to animals is evident through his public speaking work and as the founder and host of the Animal Talk Podcast.

Ryne runs the Animal Welfare & Training Consultancy, a professional consultancy dedicated to improving the welfare, care and behavioural management of animals under human care. You can find out more on Link-Tree

As President of SAAKA, he is driven to build a united and empowered community of animal keepers across South Africa.

Robynn aims to focus her career on furthering her development of SHAPE-Africa (Scientific Holistic Approach to Positive Enrichment) in honour of Valerie Hare. An offshoot of The Shape of Enrichment, Inc. As well as directing and moving SAAKA forward through assisting with keepers exchanges and promoting professional development in the industry.

Katherine is the Curator of Primates at the Johannesburg Zoo.

Beginning her journey in 1992 as a student at the Johannesburg Zoo, Katherine quickly became a zookeeper working with small cats, primates, and birds. Expanding consistently over the course of 8 years, she developed her expertise to include pachyderms, large carnivores, and antelopes.

Her passion for wildlife conservation led her to Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage – a chimpanzee sanctuary in Zambia – where she spent three years as a manager working with chimpanzees and overseeing the education center. In 2010, she returned to the Johannesburg Zoo as the Curator of Primates, bringing her extensive experience and leadership to the role.

Katherine is deeply committed to uplifting the zoo industry and inspiring growth. She aims to ensure the highest standards of welfare and conservation for all animals under her care.

Kiara is the Admin and Education Manager at the MonteCasino Bird Gardens.

With over eight years in the zoo and wildlife industry, Kiara is an experienced Zoologist holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and Genetics. She began her career as a volunteer at the Johannesburg Zoo, joining Montecasino Bird Gardens following her studies.

Throughout the years, she has expanded her expertise in avian care and conservation. She played an important role during the Kamfers Dam “Flamingo Crisis” in 2019 providing support to various facilities, including the release center in Kimberley.

She is known for her compassion and dedication, approaching every animal with care and respect.

Conor Fincham is the driving force behind ConFincham, managing social media for 19 organisations, overseeing 14 websites, and delivering webinar management services to 3 companies. With a client base of 21 and growing, Conor ensures tailored digital solutions for diverse industries.

In addition to his role at ConFincham, Conor serves as the General Manager and Director of JoburgZoo Friends is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting the Johannesburg Zoo through impactful projects and fundraising initiatives.

Further extending his expertise, Conor is a Director of the African Labour Law Society, contributing to advancements in labor law across the continent.

Chris Cooke is a conservation professional, herpetologist, and animal welfare advocate with over 20 years of experience in reptile husbandry, conservation, and education. His career began after matriculating in 2004, inspired by a lifelong passion for reptiles and a drive to improve animal welfare standards and ethics within the exotic animal sector.

Starting at a reptile pet shop in Johannesburg, Chris witnessed the consequences of poor husbandry and unregulated trade—an experience that shaped his commitment to conservation and education. He later worked at Johannesburg Zoo, the National Zoological Gardens, Khamai Reptile Centre, and Montecasino Bird Gardens, gaining extensive experience in managing reptile collections and leading conservation programmes.

As Owner and Director of the Hoedspruit Reptile Centre (HRC) in Limpopo, Chris has transformed the facility since acquiring it in 2019, modernising infrastructure, enhancing welfare standards, and expanding its conservation and research role. HRC’s guiding ethos is “conservation through education and research.”

He serves on the University of the Witwatersrand’s Animal Research Ethics Screening Committee and acts as a Technical Expert for the Pan African Association for Zoos and Aquaria. His research has focused on species such as the Sungazer, Pickersgill’s Reed Frog, Cape Cobra, and Albany Adder.

Chris also leads snake rescue and community education initiatives, including HRC’s Snake Education and Community Awareness Programme and the Safe for Snakes campaign. As a South African Animal Keepers Association Committee member, he promotes ethical standards, collaboration, and scientific integrity in animal care.

My name is Jenna Lowe, I am 29 years old, born in Gauteng, West Rand, now based in Oudtshoorn Western Cape. Been living here for over 7 years now, working at Cango Wildlife. I have been in the animal industry for 10 years, Studied and worked at Sondela Nature Reserve for 2 years before moving to Oudtshoorn in 2018 to work at Cango Wildlife. My current position is an Assistant Curator, working with a diverse range of species including primates, big cats, small mammals, birds and ungulates. I work mainly in the mammal and bird section but I do assist in other sections when needed. I have always loved the outdoors and been passionate about the animals we share the planet with. I love learning everyday and sharing my knowledge, as knowledge is the most powerful tool one can have in this world, and one can use this knowledge to change the mindset of others to make a positive impact in this world.

Ayrton King is an Aquarist Level 2 at the Two Oceans Aquarium, where his passion for marine life began as a high school volunteer. After completing Matric, he joined the Aquarium team as a Keeper, dedicating over eight years to the care of resident penguins, freshwater fish, and amphibians.

Today, Ayrton is responsible for managing the Aquarium’s second largest exhibit, home to stingrays, subtropical and tropical marine fish, and sea turtles. His expertise also extends to the care of coral displays and is part of the team responsible for the breeding and maintenance of various jellyfish species — including some never before exhibited anywhere in the world.

With a keen interest in animal behaviour and enrichment, Ayrton leads the training of multiple species, enhancing both their welfare and guest engagement. He is also the principal Comms Diver, who delivers educational presentations to the public during Stingray Feeds from inside the Ocean Exhibit during the dive.

Ayrton is also the co-host of the Animal Talk Podcast.

Ayrton looks forward to bringing his expertise, expertise and enthusiasm to the SAAKA team and is excited about the prospects of what it will be able to offer keepers across the industry.

Hayley is the Lead Animal Care Specialist of the Mammal and Bird Department at uShaka Sea World, Durban.

She has dedicated her life and career to caring for resident and rescued mammals and birds for over 30 years, inspiring others to care for our oceans through SAAMBR’s marine conservation efforts. She has served on the African Keepers Committee and the SHAPE Environmental Enrichment Committee and currently serves on both the Animal Welfare Task Team and the Skills Development Committee at SAAMBR.

Her passion is encouraging animal care teams to nurture positive human-animal connections through learning opportunities, which ultimately benefits the welfare of animals in human care. She is an unashamed pinniped fan and Earth Child who stares longingly at the ocean, howls at the moon, and adores being surrounded by Mother Nature.

She looks forward to contributing to further efforts to expand horizons and reach out to each other via keeper networks.

Peter Baloi is the Aquarist Keeper at the Johannesburg Zoo.

His journey started in 2005 as a volunteer at the Johannesburg Zoo in the education department. He has always been passionate about environmental education and wishes to inspire others to love conservation. He has been involved in several programmes such as “Tall Tales” and “Zoo-to-you”.

He was appointed in 2010 as an Aquarist night shift monitor at Ushaka Seaworld in Durban, and two years later moved to the Mammals and Birds department as an Animal Behaviorist, working with dolphins and penguins. In 2014 he joined the National Zoological Gardens, working with seals and penguins as an animal attendant.

Peter’s love for aquatic life is immense, and he has incredible passion for the work he does.

Shanet Rutgers is the Senior Penguin Specialist & Animal Health Technician at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

She started at the Two Oceans Aquarium as a teen volunteering on weekends and school holidays in 2004. After matric in 2008, she attended the University of the Western Cape, studying a BSc in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation. Whilst in her last year of university, she received a job opportunity to work at the Aquarium as a School Group Facilitator, guiding schools to the Aquarium class and then guiding them through the Aquarium in 2014.

Later that same year, she became the Penguin Keeper at the Two Oceans Aquarium, ultimately being promoted to Senior Penguin Specialist in 2019.

Shanet describes her work as the most incredible journey in her life, allowing her to teach and explore nature at its best.

Timothy is a Quarantine Aquarist at uShaka Sea World, Durban.

After graduating with a Master’s degree in Ichthyology and Fisheries Sciences, he started his work in public aquaria by volunteering at uShaka, soon afterwards getting a position as Aquarist Keeper at the Johannesburg Zoo. He then returned to uShaka as an Aquarist, where he has spent the past six years under various roles.

Tim believes that South African zoos and aquariums have a lot more to offer the world. Having a keen interest in research and development himself, he feels that local keepers have an immense role to play in furthering the understanding of our animals, which can be facilitated by the connections fostered within a keeper association.

Having been involved in the care of aquatic life over the past 20 years – both privately and professionally – he is always looking forward to learning more about the underwater world.

My name is Khomotso Madisha, an Animal Conservation Worker(Animal Keeper) at SANBI/National Zoological Garden in Pretoria.

My days are dedicated to providing world-class husbandry and welfare for our incredible large mammals mainly Giraffes and Cape Buffalos, as well as selected carnivores from preparing specialized diets to implementing creative environmental enrichment. My goal is to keep our animals mentally and physically thriving.

I love using positive reinforcement conditioning to assist with voluntary healthcare.

I have introduced training for the giraffes at NZG and I am proud to connect our visitors with wildlife. I serve as a member of the SAAKA committee, as noted in the Animal Talk Podcast’s episode 25.

I have featured in the SAAKA 1st Quarterly Newsletter (April 2026) and on social media, and I have a deep passion for South Africa’s biodiversity conservation.

I am confident that my capabilities and passion for wildlife will continue making great impact for animals in my care.

From 1981 to 2000 Dave worked at the Transvaal Snake Park, Halfway House, South Africa, starting as a volunteer worker and culminating as CEO. A brief sojourn as CEO of Montecasino Bird Gardens, Johannesburg until 2003 was followed by taking up the Executive Directorship of the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB) until 2012.

Dave has seen extensive international travel and served on the Council of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA); the Conservation and Ethics and Welfare Committees respectively and as Chairman of the WAZA Committee for Population Management. He served on the Strategic Committee of the Conservation Breeding Specialist group (CBSG) of the IUCN for 7 years and was on the advisory committee for the International Zoo Yearbook.

He has been an associate of the renowned international zoo consultancy group, Bernard Harrison and Friends, since 2004. He is presently the Founder and Field Director of the international zoo animal welfare NGO, Wild Welfare.