Karmel Ritson

Experience

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  MTÜ Teeme Keemiat

  Nov 2014 - Jun 2016

  Teeme Keemiat (Lets do chemistry) is a non-governmental organisation that populates science by doing chemistry theatre performances. I was a part of this group of young science enthusiasts for my first year and instructed the group during my second year. During my two years in the group I had to chance to put together and perform science theatre shows across Estonia. I learned how to make science more appealing to a wider audience by simple yet exciting experiments. I developed my performing and public speaking skills in addition to organisation skills. As an instructor, my responsibilities were very different. I had to train new members of the group and oversee their work, ensuring their safety at all times. I also had to come up with ideas for new experiments, new programmes for different events and recruit more members. Show less A project called StratosChem was started by the CEO of Teeme Keemiat. The aim of this project was to launch a weather balloon with a payload to the stratosphere where it will perform a chemistry experiment called Elephant's toothpaste. This was the first science experiment performed in stratosphere. During this project I was in charge of engaging the public, especially children with the project. For this, I organised a drawing competition called Space Elephant. The competition was very successful, receiving over 1300 drawings. To congratulate the winners, I also organised a small gathering with an exhibition of the drawings. I also visited many schools around Estonia, performing with short science theatre shows and giving information about the StratosChem project.During the launch of the balloon, I was in charge of giving updates on the progress via Facebook as another mean of engaging the public. All the while I also helped during the filling of the balloon and searching for the video material that landed after the balloon had burst, Show less

  • Team member and instructor

    Sept 2014 - Jun 2016

  • Public Relations Coordinator

    Nov 2014 - Jun 2015
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  University of South Wales

  Jul 2017 - Aug 2017

  Field Researcher

  As a part of my undergraduate degree I took part of a four-week field trip in South Africa. During that time I had the chance to develop my skills in camera trapping, species identification, body condition scoring and skittishness assessment. In addition I gained experience in using different survey methods by conduction various of surveys such as bird surveys, vegetation surveys, elephant damage surveys etc.

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  JD Wetherspoon

  Sept 2017 - Aug 2019

  Bar Waitress
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  Cats Protection

  Apr 2018 - Aug 2019

  Foster carer

  As a foster carer for Cats Protection Agency Cardiff and the Vale branch, I provided a foster home for cats in need until they can find their forever home. By providing care, love and affection in addition to a warm home with a secure food source, I helped the cats to get used to interacting with people, living indoors etc. depending on the cats' background.

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  Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi

  Jun 2018 - Aug 2018

  Volunteer Staff

  In Parque Machia, I spent most of my time working with endangered Peruvian spider monkeys (Ateles chamek). Daily tasks included preparing and providing food for the monkeys, cleaning their area and ensuring their safety in the park. I also provided them different enrichment for four weeks as a part of my field research for my dissertation. During this time I gained valuable experience working with wildlife, acquired a the essential skills of behavioural observations in the field and learned a lot of the species behaviour in captivity. Show less

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  University of South Wales

  Sept 2018 - Jun 2019

  Shortly after a becoming a Student Mentor in University of South Wales, I successfully applied for a Super Mentor position. For the whole academic year (Sept. 2017- June 2018) I looked after current student mentors, trained new mentors and organised events to promote the student mentoring scheme in the university. The position developed my public speaking, organisation and communication skills. Currently, I back in my role of a student mentor where my duty is to make sure that my mentees are doing well by helping them solve any problems that may come up during their studies. Show less

  • Student Mentor

    Nov 2016 - Jun 2019

  • Student Representative

    Sept 2018 - May 2019
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  Tallinn Zoo

  Sept 2019 - Aug 2022

  My role as a species conservation specialist at Tallinn Zoo is a bit different compared to a regular conservation specialist. I don't work closely with just one species but more or less all the zoo's animals and my main focus is welfare. Enrichment plays an important part in zoo animal welfare and my job is to analyze the effectivness of Tallinn zoo's enrichment practices. According to the data collected by zookeepers, I give recommendations on what needs to be done differently to ensure that enrichment will continue to be enriching. I also work closely with species that haven't been enriched before by creating an enrichment schedule for them. In addition, I look after Tallinn Zoo's Species 360 database making sure the zoo's collection is regularly updated. Using data from the Species 360 database, I carry out analyses requested by the zoo's director or head curator. My other tasks include supervising students who want to carry out their research at the zoo, doing workshops for the zoo's hobby groups, creating content for the conservationresearch_tlnzoo instragram page etc.Another imporant part of my role is being in charge of Tallinn Zoo's Euro for Nature scheme where every visitor has a chance to donate 1 € to the conservation of Pallas's cats and Sumatran rhinos. This includes creating content for the scheme, educating the zoo's visitor about the species, communicating with Save the Rhino and Pallas's Cat International Conservation Alliance etc. Show less As one of the environmental education specialists at Tallinn Zoo, I had the chance to share my knowledge and passion about wildlife and conservation. My every-day tasks included carrying out school curriculum-based study programs for different age-groups, doing zoo tours and talks, teaching hobby clubs, workshops etc. I also had the chance to participate in the planning of new expositions such as the Tiger Valley and the Southeast Asian Tropical house. In both projects, I was part of the educational team- creating content for the exhibitions and making sure the zoo’s guests could have a chance to learn something new during their visit. One of the highlights was supervising a study where an 8th grade student created an environmental enrichment plan to decrease stereotypic behaviour in one of the zoo’s amur leopards. The experience was an important learning opportunity for me, and I was glad to use my own prior experience with enrichment studies to assist her. Part of the educational specialist role included creating new educational content. I oversaw bringing the Stolen Wildlife Exhibition to Tallinn Zoo and raising awareness about illegal wildlife trade by creating marketing content. I was also part of the team who created an insect exhibition called Vital functions of Small Creatures. Another important topic to discuss and educate people on as insect are disappearing at an alarming rate. Lastly, an important part of being an environmental education specialist was using the media as a tool to reach our zoo's followers. I was part of a video series called Ahvivaimustus or Monkey Madness where I talked about chimpanzees, why they are kept in zoos and illegal pet trade. In addition, I gave talks on tv shows and on the radio. Show less

  • Species Conservation Specialist

    Sept 2021 - Aug 2022

  • Environmental Education Specialist

    Sept 2019 - Sept 2021
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  Keskkonnaamet

  Sept 2022 - now

  Chief Wildlife Aid Specialist