December 12, 2024

Woodland Park Zoo

Neves

Following a national and international search, Woodland Park Zoo named Dr. Luis Neves as its new senior director of animal care. He will oversee animal management and veterinary care for the zoo's nearly 800 animal residents with a team of more than 100 professional animal care and commissary staff. Neves holds a degree in veterinary medicine from Universidade Técnica de Lisboa in his native Portugal. He has built his international career in Europe and Asia in roles spanning veterinary and animal care, zoological operations and executive leadership. Most recently he served as vice president for life sciences at Singapore-based S.E.A. Aquarium. Neves spent 14 years working with Mandai Wildlife Group (formerly Wildlife Reserves Singapore) where he held various positions, ultimately becoming the vice president of animal care across all four of their zoological parks (Singapore Zoo, Singapore Zoo Night Safari, River Safari and Jurong Bird Park/Bird Paradise Park). Neves oversaw capital and wellbeing improvement projects with Mandai over the past 10 years, including the design, construction management and animal relocation of the $280 million transformation of the former Jurong Bird Park to the new Bird Paradise Park. Internationally, Neves is a recognized authority on animal welfare and zoological management. He has served as co-vice chair for conservation breeding and reintroduction for the Asian Songbird Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and as a program coordinator for both hornbill and pigeon and dove Taxon Advisory Groups for the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Following a relocation to the Seattle area from Singapore, Neves will begin his role at Woodland Park Zoo in February 2025.