Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Castellanos
Hi Vanessa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Colombia and came to the United States at a young age. From my earliest memories I had always admired Jack Cousteau and knew deep in my heart that I wanted to work with nature. After many trials and tribulations almost losing my parents one due to breast cancer and one due to a massive brain tumor they always pushed me to be what I wanted to be. During this time I got deep into art, poetry, books, yoga,
And always trying to figure out who I really was and what I was meant to do with my life. I got my degree an environmental science but at that time my degree was very unknown and not many people/ company understood what it was about. Throughout my 20s I experimented with different ways of trying to be “successful”, but unfortunately I quickly discovered that I was not money driven. My soul and heart craved what I’ve always known that I was meant to do. Finding myself looking for different job opportunities, I came across and add of working for Zoological Wildlife Foundation. This was the first time that I had the courage to send in my résumé and hope for the best. I had always known that ZWF was very peculiar in the people that they hired because everybody wanted to be part of them. I was one of the lucky few that got called, but it wasn’t for anything related to animals. It was doing OFFICE work; and to be honest to me it was Heaven on earth. It was my first step into what I felt was going to fulfill that emptiness I always felt. ZWF not only did I learn from it’s owner Mario Tabraue, but I also found the Love of My Life; my partner For Life. Many people may me think our relationship is taboo because of her age gap but in reality is only a Number. Mario has taught me everything that I’ve known and more. I have been able to meet many wonderful people in the animal world thanks to Mario and his crazy stories. But that’s another chapter that it would take much longer to write! For the past six years I have been an exotic Animal curator, Zookeeper, Office personal, personal Assistant, dr. Chiringa and much more! My life with Mario has been the most exhilarating roller coaster I’ve ever been on. I have been able to accomplish so much with so many animals. I have been able to work with all types of animals. From big big cats, for To the smallest mammals, reptiles, birds and I honestly lost count. My job is to make sure that these animals thrive due to a lot of them being on the verge of extinction. Many people may look at me and think I take advantage or I’m doing the incorrect thing and that mother nature take it course, but in my heart I know that I am saving many species from extinction. I’m not the only one fighting this battle many of us are doing it.
As an environmental scientist is my duty to see how humans have destroyed many habitats and unfortunately this greed of wanting more has pushed mother Earth and it’s children off to a side.
From the moment I stepped foot into Zoological Wildlife Foundation I knew that I was home and that my Destiny was to follow my heart and soul; especially my innocent young Vanessa that I had hidden away for a long time.
Today I am the mother and grandmother and great grandmother too many many health babies.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s never a smooth road especially with what I do. There are many trials and tribulations that I have had to overcome. Specially after Tiger King came out a lot of eyes were focused on my Life partner Mario and obviously myself. We weren’t sure if the public understood the message behind what we do. Unfortunately Tiger king was a catalyst to many things that were obviously being done incorrectly in this field. But not everybody is the same, and many people did not understand that. My heart is solely based on Animals and their well-being, specially when they’re on the verge of extinction.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Like I mentioned before I’m an exotic animal curator. Although my degree and environmental science, this has helped me understand many things about the animal world and how us humans have hurt it. I am known as a very reputable animal Care taker, who will do anything and everything possible to make sure these babies are under extreme delicate Care. I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but I have successfully raised over 300 Animals and they all have gone to very reputable sanctuary’s, aza zoos, zaa zoo, private facilities, and other places that I make sure they will be in good hands. One of my biggest accomplishments and most rewarding has been raising João the Jaguar, Ziggy and súper Mario the clouded leopards. I have give these animals my whole life and love. I don’t even have children because they occupy my whole heart.
What matters most to you? Why?
At this moment the most important thing in my life is my continuous work with making sure that people see these Majestic Animals how I see them. I may not be a Jack Cousteau, but I know my work and my efforts Will one day be noticed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Vanessa.castellanos_
- Facebook: Vanessa24hl
