Ivan Choo [SEAZA Giraffe coordinator]

Ivan is the Assistant Curator of Herbivores at the Singapore Zoo. He began his career specialising in passerines (birds-of-paradise) and columbids before expanding his focus to include hoofstock. His journey in animal care is driven by a deep passion for wildlife and a commitment to excellence in husbandry, conservation and research.

Throughout his career, Ivan has led teams of dedicated animal care professionals, guiding them in collection planning, research and guest engagement initiatives, and exhibit refurbishments. He believes that true leadership lies in mentorship and empowerment—helping individuals discover and develop their unique skills and potential.

Ivan has a particular passion for giraffe care, finding the hoof training and guest feeding programme to be the most rewarding aspects of his work. He has been actively involved in the construction of a new training chute for the giraffes and brainstorming new initiatives for the guest feeding programme. He looks forward to connecting with others who share his enthusiasm for giraffe care and learning from fellow professionals in the field.​

​

Troy Tollefson [Nutritionist]

​Troy Tollefson began working at Mazuri® Exotic Animal Nutrition, which is a division of Purina Mills and Land O’Lakes, Inc. in 2011, where today he is the Director of Technical Solutions & Innovation and leads the Mazuri® Technical Team as they focus on new product development and updating existing diets for both terrestrial and aquatic species.  From 2007 to 2011, he developed the first nutrition program at Busch Gardens, which is part of the SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment organization where he worked with over 300 different species and 2,000 different animals. While at Busch Gardens, he helped transition the Giraffe and other Hoofstock from a high starch, higher protein diet to lower starch, higher fiber diets.  Prior to that he attended Washington State University from 2000 to 2007, where he obtained his Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. while conducting nutrition research on wild and managed care brown bears and mule deer. During his last year at WSU, he helped start and later collaborated with the university & Mazuri on a research project to test a new low starch, lower protein, higher fiber, phosphorous controlled hoofstock diet compared to higher starch and lower fiber versions to help improve hoofstock nutrition.

Indah Aliyah [Keeper, Mandai Wildlife Group]

Indah is a dedicated animal carer specialising in herbivore care at Singapore Zoo. She has been working with hoofstock for the past five years. With a particular focus on giraffes, Indah has developed a deep passion for animal training and behaviour, striving to enhance welfare through innovative training methods and environmental enrichment.

Her enthusiasm for giraffe care extends to understanding how surroundings and management practices influence behaviour, leading them to explore diverse training approaches. Indah has also collaborated on multiple research projects, including a study on browse preferences with colleagues, contributing to a greater understanding of giraffe husbandry.

Committed to continuous learning and sharing knowledge, Indah is excited to engage with fellow professionals, exchanging insights on training strategies and behavioural studies to further advance giraffe care.​

​

Ｍariusz Lech 

[Chair of SEAZA TAG for Ungulates]

• Involved in zoo industry from 2000.

• Worked Warsaw Zoo and Dvur Kralove zoo as volounteer, keeper, section head and curator.

• Head of zoology of Batu Secret Zoo, Indonesia from 2014.

• Chair of SEAZA Taxon Advisory Group for Ungulates from 2023.

• From beginning of zoo career heavily involved in zoo management of wide range of Ungulate-giraffes, antelopes, deers, rhinos and so on.

• Area of interest and expertise: taxonomy, population management, international breeding programs, exhibit desing, animal transport and conservation programmes

• Favorite ungulates: okapi, gazelles, rhinos​​​​​​

​​