25
Sep
2015
Coal Valley, IL - September 25, 2015 - Niabi Zoo announced today that Zoo Director Marc Heinzman is leaving his position at Niabi Zoo for a new opportunity. Heinzman has accepted the position of Zoological Curator at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, located in Eatonville, Washington. His last day at Niabi Zoo will be October 16.
Marc Heinzman began working at Niabi Zoo in 2008 as a zookeeper, before becoming Assistant Zoo Director in 2010. He became the Zoo Director in 2012. "I'm excited to start this next chapter of my career," said Heinzman, "and I know Niabi Zoo is positioned for continued success into the future. I have worked hard to assemble a great team of skilled and experienced professionals that will help take the Zoo to the next level." Heinzman also said he is proud of the improved levels of animal welfare and financial stability that Niabi Zoo has implemented in the last three years.
"I have a lifelong connection to Niabi Zoo," said Heinzman, "beginning with elementary school field trips as a young child all the way through to the bulk of my professional career in the Zoo field. Niabi Zoo will always be an important place to me, and now the Forest Preserve District and the Niabi Zoological Society are working with the nation's leading experts in zoo consultation and governance to determine the best path into the future. I can't wait to see what lies ahead for Niabi Zoo." Heinzman has been a resident of the Quad Cities for most of his life, attending Rock Island public schools and Saint Ambrose University.
"We're sorry to see Marc go," said Rock Island County Forest Preserve District Director Jeff Craver, "but we wish him all the best with his new opportunity. He's been a great asset to Niabi Zoo during his seven years there." Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is an AZA-accredited facility of Metro Parks Tacoma, an independent government agency which oversees the parks of Tacoma, Washington. Northwest Trek is 723 acres in size and features a collection of about 200 animals representing over 40 species native to the Pacific Northwest.
Niabi Zoo's Assistant Zoo Director, Dan Meates, will be act as interim Zoo Director until the Forest Preserve District completes a national search to identify Niabi Zoo's next Director.
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Marc Heinzman began working at Niabi Zoo in 2008 as a zookeeper, before becoming Assistant Zoo Director in 2010. He became the Zoo Director in 2012. "I'm excited to start this next chapter of my career," said Heinzman, "and I know Niabi Zoo is positioned for continued success into the future. I have worked hard to assemble a great team of skilled and experienced professionals that will help take the Zoo to the next level." Heinzman also said he is proud of the improved levels of animal welfare and financial stability that Niabi Zoo has implemented in the last three years.
"I have a lifelong connection to Niabi Zoo," said Heinzman, "beginning with elementary school field trips as a young child all the way through to the bulk of my professional career in the Zoo field. Niabi Zoo will always be an important place to me, and now the Forest Preserve District and the Niabi Zoological Society are working with the nation's leading experts in zoo consultation and governance to determine the best path into the future. I can't wait to see what lies ahead for Niabi Zoo." Heinzman has been a resident of the Quad Cities for most of his life, attending Rock Island public schools and Saint Ambrose University.
"We're sorry to see Marc go," said Rock Island County Forest Preserve District Director Jeff Craver, "but we wish him all the best with his new opportunity. He's been a great asset to Niabi Zoo during his seven years there." Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is an AZA-accredited facility of Metro Parks Tacoma, an independent government agency which oversees the parks of Tacoma, Washington. Northwest Trek is 723 acres in size and features a collection of about 200 animals representing over 40 species native to the Pacific Northwest.
Niabi Zoo's Assistant Zoo Director, Dan Meates, will be act as interim Zoo Director until the Forest Preserve District completes a national search to identify Niabi Zoo's next Director.
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