Animal Wonders Staff
Jessi Knudsen Castañeda
Co-Founder/Executive Director
Jessi's main focus is to make sure all the animal residents are healthy and happy. With degrees in Wildlife Education, Animal Behavior, and Exotic Animal Training and Management, Jessi still strives to learn something new everyday since our combined knowledge about animals and their care continues to improve year after year. When she's not spending time with the animals, sharing her passion for animals and education with others is Jessi's favorite thing to do. Her current favorite animal to educate about is Huckleberry the beaver.
Jessi's main focus is to make sure all the animal residents are healthy and happy. With degrees in Wildlife Education, Animal Behavior, and Exotic Animal Training and Management, Jessi still strives to learn something new everyday since our combined knowledge about animals and their care continues to improve year after year. When she's not spending time with the animals, sharing her passion for animals and education with others is Jessi's favorite thing to do. Her current favorite animal to educate about is Huckleberry the beaver.
Taylor Craig
Lead Animal Keeper/Wildlife Educator
Taylor spends her days at Animal Wonders caring for the animals and educating the public all about the animals through our public presentations. She holds degrees in Wildlife Biology, and Ecology, from the University of Montana and past experience in wild animal care and wildlife rehabilitation. When she's not building enrichment for the cavies or training Luka the raven, she enjoys being outside in nature and spending time with her fiance and furry, feathered, and scaled pets at home.
Taylor spends her days at Animal Wonders caring for the animals and educating the public all about the animals through our public presentations. She holds degrees in Wildlife Biology, and Ecology, from the University of Montana and past experience in wild animal care and wildlife rehabilitation. When she's not building enrichment for the cavies or training Luka the raven, she enjoys being outside in nature and spending time with her fiance and furry, feathered, and scaled pets at home.
Augusto Castañeda
Co-Founder/Animal Keeper
Augusto has been helping care for the animals since before Animal Wonders was officially founded! He enjoys caring for the animals and supporting the animal care team and wildlife educators wherever help is needed the most. When he's not helping to keep everything running smoothly, he keeps busy with his three kids, beautiful fish tanks, and getting outside whenever possible to enjoy the beauty Montana has to offer.
Augusto has been helping care for the animals since before Animal Wonders was officially founded! He enjoys caring for the animals and supporting the animal care team and wildlife educators wherever help is needed the most. When he's not helping to keep everything running smoothly, he keeps busy with his three kids, beautiful fish tanks, and getting outside whenever possible to enjoy the beauty Montana has to offer.
Paul Hutto
Animal Keeper/Wildlife Educator
Paul comes from a family of wildlife and nature enthusiasts and educators. He holds a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and experience with wildlife research. He spends his days at Animal Wonders caring for the wide variety of animal residents and assisting in our educational programs. When he's not dedicating his time to the animal ambassadors he enjoys getting out in nature, and is a slightly competitive birder.
Paul comes from a family of wildlife and nature enthusiasts and educators. He holds a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and experience with wildlife research. He spends his days at Animal Wonders caring for the wide variety of animal residents and assisting in our educational programs. When he's not dedicating his time to the animal ambassadors he enjoys getting out in nature, and is a slightly competitive birder.
Heather Shaw
Office Assistant
Heather helps us keep all the bits and pieces organized and flowing smoothly. From coordinating transportation for new animal rescues, to merchandise fulfillment, to donor relations, Heather helps make the magic happen behind the scenes.
Heather helps us keep all the bits and pieces organized and flowing smoothly. From coordinating transportation for new animal rescues, to merchandise fulfillment, to donor relations, Heather helps make the magic happen behind the scenes.
Volunteers
Brit Garner
Katherine Wendeln