Meet The Team
Meet our team of passionate and dedicated staff who have the privilege of caring for our bears and the place they call home. With a range of educational and career backgrounds, we come together to provide exceptional welfare to our bears, as well as to educate and inspire the public about polar bears and their arctic home.
Amy Baxendell-Young
MANAGER
Amy began her career with us as a member of the Animal Care Team in July 2016, after moving to Canada from Sydney, Australia in 2014. She attended the University of Western Sydney where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science. Her extensive career has involved working with five of the eight extant species of bears, which include Sun bears, Asiatic Black bears, North American Black bears, Brown bears and most recently, Polar bears.
Over the years, Amy has played a role in all aspects of The Habitat, including conservation projects, education and fundraising. A highlight for her has been taking part in Polar Bears International's 2019 Climate Alliance program. Since then, Amy has worked with Polar Bear's International as a Field Ambassador during the polar bear season in Churchill, Manitoba for the past two years.
Brooke Etherington
SUPERVISOR
Brooke joined the Habitat team in May, 2023. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Carleton University in 2021, Brooke's area of focus has been in conservation and research of aquatic environments.
Brooke has maintained her passion for conservation biology, and now focuses on arctic ecology. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors with her rescue dogs. Her personal experience with behavioural training and managing chronic medications for her rescue dogs, as well as professional experience in the veterinary field has proven advantageous in her work here at the Habitat.
Jessica Tartaglia
ANIMAL CARE TEAM LEADER
Jess graduated from Guelph University’s Zoology program. Her background in the animal care industry and wealth of knowledge with positive reinforcement training is an asset to our bears and the work we do with them. Training is a large component of veterinary care and we look forward to what we will be able to accomplish with Jess’s guidance.
Gail Palmer
ANIMAL CARE TEAM
Gail joined The Habitat team in May, 2022. Gail holds a Fish and Wildlife Technician diploma from Fleming College and has worked with animals for most of her career and personal life.
As an avid dog-sled racer, Gail brings with her many years of experience with behavioural training. During her first year as part of the animal care team, Gail has used her behavioural skills and calm demeanour to build a strong and trusting bond with the bears.
Kali Zammit
ANIMAL CARE TEAM
Kali joined us in 2024. She has a formal education in Zoology from Guelph University. Her previous experience in the zoo industry is a great asset to the team. Kali’s passion for education and outreach can be felt by our guests during bear talks, tours, and outreach events.
Sierra Robin
ANIMAL CARE TEAM
Sierra, who previously held the position of Guest Services Team Lead, is now a member of our Animal Care team. Although her move to the Animal Care team is recent, Sierra’s dedication to the Habitat goes beyond the past year. Her passion for the bears and our organization has grown since her days here as a summer student in 2018.
Kaitlyn Boucher
GUEST SERVICES TEAM LEADER
Kaitlyn’s love for nature and conservation inspired her to pursue a formal education in Ecosystem Management at Flemming College. Her passion for polar bears and education fit perfectly with her role as guest services team leader. Her warm smile that matches her kind heart will often be the first thing you see when you arrive.