Born: September 15, 1962 in Long Beach, CA
Raised: Seal Beach, CA

I knew from an early age that I wanted to work with animals. Growing up in Southern California gave many opportunities to experience animals in their natural environment. The opportunities ranged from the animals of the Pacific ocean, to the low deserts, to the Angeles Crest National Forest. I was fortunate enough to become SCUBA certified at 15 years of age which shaped my career choices from then on.

During my college days I worked at a local small animal and exotic veterinary clinic doing technician and emergency work. I was also able to do a bit of field research with one of the veterinarians, Dr. Charles Jenner, on the California Bighorn Sheep in Palm Desert, CA. I was fortunate enough to also have said veterinarian introduce me to Brad Andrews, then General Curator at Marineland of the Pacific (now Corporate V.P. Zoological for A-B Adventure Parks) and complete a summer internship at the park. As a result of that internship I had a solid idea of what I was going to do for a career.

I was hired on full time at Marineland in February, 1984 and had the opportunity to work with all of the animals at Marineland ranging from penguins to killer whales. I also was a part of the Dive Control Board and participated in open ocean collecting trips. At Marineland I was fortunate to have some of the most knowledgeable people to learn from so my beginning in the zoological industry was a memorable one. As a result of Marineland being closed down in February of 1987 I then ventured to Las Vegas and designed bird and fresh water exhibits at the Tropicana Hotel. In the beginning of 1988 SeaWorld San Antonio was about to get its animal collection and I was asked by Robin Friday, Curator of Birds, to join the Aviculture team. Since then I have watched the park grow along with the collection to the heights that it has reached today. I have been fortunate enough to work with 5 species of penguins, flamingos, alcids, and many other birds. Working in the Penguin Encounter with over 200 penguins is like having that many dogs. The birds exhibit many different personality traits and are so much fun to work with. I have also been fortunate enough to be able to help out the other animal departments by handling alligators and diving with bottlenose dolphins. During the past three years I have been working on a research project studying the Galapagos penguin, through the Charles Darwin Research Station, and also helping with an animal rescue facility, Fundacion Jambeli, on the Ecuadorian Mainland. All of this project was started through my work with Deborah Chiriboga from Fundacion Natura, the largest nature foundation in Ecuador. This year should mark the second year that SeaWorld Corporate will fund the research in the Galapagos Islands. This year I am also taking on the responsibility of being the AZA North American Regional Studbook Keeper for the chinstrap penguin.

In addition to my work at SeaWorld I have been working at two private ranches in Texas that specialize in endangered hoofstock. Showplace Hill and Chulagua Wildlife Ranch raise Pere' David deer, Grevy's zebra, and a number of other rare animals. My spare time is spent with my 'family' of animals at home comprised of 4 dogs, 4 cats, an Amazon parrot, and any number of stray animals that are brought to me by well meaning friends to keep until I can find a suitable home. As you can see my life revolves around animals of all types.

I feel very fortunate to have worked in the zoological industry for as many years as I have. I have many special memories ranging from the many penguin chicks that I have helped raise to play sessions with Orky and Corky the killer whales at Marineland, to being a part of a brand new zoological facility, SeaWorld San Antonio, and seeing all of the changes there has been. I continue to add to those memories by working in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The entire career that I have had has given me the opportunity to learn from so many knowledgeable people and now, with the development of Careers Camp at SeaWorld San Antonio, I am able to give back as much of that knowledge as possible to new students and possible future aviculturists. I hope that the future will hold, along with my work at SeaWorld San Antonio, continued work in the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador and the ability to share my knowledge and experiences with as many people as possible. I believe in the quote "Share your knowledge, it is your way to achieve immortality".

Rob Yordi
Senior Aviculturist
SeaWorld San Antonio