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Rachel Ritchason currently holds the position of Deputy Director - Animal Care at the Oregon Zoo, a role assumed in February 2025. Prior to this, Rachel served at the Santa Barbara Zoo from 2007 to January 2025, where responsibilities included Director of Animal Care, Director of Collections, and Curator - Birds and Records, overseeing avian health and a team of seven animal care professionals. Achievements include opening California Trails exhibits and mentoring for successful Humboldt penguin breeding. Earlier experience includes Associate Store Manager at H&M during the company's expansion in California and Bird Keeper at the San Francisco Zoo, where day-to-day animal husbandry was a primary duty. Rachel Ritchason earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology/Animal Biology from San Francisco State University between 1999 and 2002.