ONLINE
WHAT IS YATZ ONLINE?
Youth At The Zoo (YATZ) is a program run through Zoos South Australia, designed for students with a passion for conservation and are looking towards a future working with animals and conserving wildlife.
YATZ Online is a platform where these young conservationists are able to further their learning and continue to create and develop their skills and knowledge.
We are welcoming all to participate, if you are a current YATZ superstar, Zoos SA member or simply someone who wants to learn more about our environment and its animals
Here you will find access to a variety of resources, online workshops, our blog and much more!
To learn about various animal species, conservation heroes and watch DIY tutorials, click here, or visit the “Learning” page.
To see what activities are on offer ranging from bird sighting to tiny ecosystems, click here, or visit the “Activities” page.
Every Saturday we will be running a Zoom ‘master class’, to see what topic will be covered this weekend, click here or visit the “Zoom” page.
IMPORTANT ACCESS POINTS
YATZ Official Blog Page
Meet The Team
Parris Jeffries
Hey guys, it's Parris here and I'm the YATZ coordinator, I just want to welcome you all to YATZ Online. The brilliant mentors have put so much effort into bringing this alive so I hope you enjoy what we have to offer!
So a bit about myself, I have a bachelor and honours degree in Animal Science, where I had the amazing opportunity to study the Brown Hyena and Leopard in South Africa. It may come to no surprise that my favourite animal is the Hyena, along with the Hooded Vulture and African Civet. I am always willing to share my memories and love for Africa, so don't be afraid to ask me anything - my email can be found above. My conservation heroes are the dream duo, Ian Walton and Emma Still, these two have helped shaped my passion and conservation career.
Cam Scott
Hello, my name is Cam and I am one of the mentors who was inducted into the program in 2019. I am currently studying Cognitive Neuroscience and enjoy travelling, being immersed in nature, reading and creating weird and wacky things at home. My favourite animal is the Superb Fairywren, which I love due to its playful and sociable nature. My favourite conservation hero is anyone who takes the time out of their day to prioritise the environment and encourage others to make environmentally conscious choices. I look forward to getting to know you more on this journey.
Jonathon Allan
Helloo, i’m Jonathon and I became one of the Mentors in 2019. I am currently in my second year of studying Animal Behaviour at Flinders University. I enjoy learning about animals and the natural world especially by watching David Attenborough documentaries as he has been my conservation hero since I was a little kid. I find so many animals interesting that it has hard to pick favourites, but Jaguars are definitely at the top of my list because of their incredible strength and elusive nature. As well as learning about animals I enjoy playing video games, reading and telling stories and listening to music.
Dylan O'Loughin
Howdy!
I’m Dylan and I have been a mentor since 2017. I am currently in my 3rd year of university studying, a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behaviour. I’m a self-confessed comedian and love getting groovy on the dance floor! Wildlife and conservation are two of my main passions in life. However, I do enjoy music and water activities such as paddle boarding and scuba diving as well. My favourite animals are whales and dolphins because I love their beauty and intellect. My conservation hero has to be the wonderful man himself, Sir David Attenborough. Just as a young kid it was him who sparked my passion and love for animals.
Charlize Camantigue
My name is Charlize and I am currently studying Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. I am passionate about conservation and the environment, animals wellbeing and educating others. I believe it is important to teach people about conservation and I enjoy continuously expanding my knowledge. The conservation hero in my life is Lee Grigg; she is a school teacher and she continues to inspire and teach students the wonderous beauty of nature and the significance of our impact on the planet. From around the world, some of my favourite animals are the Philippine Eagles, the Asian Elephants and grizzly bears!
Karen Greenhalgh
Hello there, my name is Karen and I have been apart of YATZ since 2016 and have recently become a mentor this year. I have a pet ferret named Kenzi, who loves getting into trouble. I’m planning to continue my education next year and would love to work in the animal industry, teaching people about animals and conservation. My conservation heroes are the younger generation, who are making a change in how they view the world. The greatest influence on us I believe is ourselves.
Hannah Tilley
Hi guys I'm Hannah and am a first-year student at Adelaide University studying a Bachelor of Science, Animal Science. Some know me as being the horse-loving gal but I do in fact love other animals as well, including sloths! In my spare time I love to play soccer, have a good old strum on the guitar and go for walks at the beach or conservation parks. A conservation hero of mine is the infamous Jane Goodall and all you lovely folks for being a part of our team :)
Jackie Megson
My name is Jackie and I'm curently a first-year student studying a Bachelor of Science (animal behaviour) at University. I really enjoy my sport, getting outside, camping and 4WDing with my family where we have been almost everywhere in Australia. I also have pet stick insects and a few wild kangaroos in my back yard. My favourite animal is the Bongo because it is very unique and unheard of and my favourite Australian animal is the Thorny Devil because I have been so lucky to come into contact of wild ones while camping. One of my favourite conservation hero is Dr Chris Brown and that is because when I was younger I would always look up to him and he would inspire me.
Gemma Spellicy
Hello there, I'm Gemma, but everyone here just calls me Grem. I became a mentor in 2019 after being in the YATZ program for a year and I've loved it. I'm studying a Certificate III in Companion Animal Handling, and I love drawing, cross-stitching and being with people and animals. My favourite animal though would have to be the Fennec Fox. I relate to how small and loud they are. My conservation hero is my high school Outdoor Education teacher, who always taught us to leave only footprints. I can't wait to walk this path with you all!
Bec Alexander
Hey hey! I’m Bec, one of the YATZ mentors. I am equally as passionate about conservation as I am about art, horses, yoga, hiking and books!! I love nothing more than a day spent outside getting my hands dirty - which is something I’ve been lucky enough to find plenty of in our YATZ program. I am planning to study Animal Behaviour and Psychology in 2021, aiming to develop a career in either conservation or Animal Assisted Psychotherapy. My conservation heros are David Attenbrough (who doesn't love him?!) and Bindi Erwin, whom I’ve been a fan of since “Bindi the Jungle Girl” aired in 2007! I hope to bring some of their zest and passion for the natural world to my day to day life, and share this with those around me.
Hannah Stroeher
I am an 18-year-old mentor, I’m in my first year of university studying a bachelor of archaeology at Flinders. Some of my passions include hanging out with my friends, doing sport, adventuring and traveling. I found it hard to pin my favourite animal down to just one but as I love to scuba dive many of them are marine based with a strong pull to orcas and lionfish. My conservation heroes would have to be Sir David Attenborough and Dr Jane Goodall as they both makes their points so vocal and want to change so much.