Tomas Kneppers
Biologist
Fascinated by Steve Irwin since childhood, Tomas Kneppers fostered his love and passion for animals and conservation, which led him to pursue a similar path that involved animals and nature. He’s travelled to 14 countries, including Portugal, South Africa, New Zealand and Dubai, and has been to six out of the seven continents.
Tomas knew that sitting in an office on a computer was not his calling. “Steve Irwin’s excitement of reptilian creatures shaped my love for snakes, crocodilians, lizards and tortoises,” says Tomas. “When I started working in the Mojave Desert in 2015, I had fallen in love with the desert ecosystem. As a reptile fanatic, the desert is the perfect home to more scaly residents that you can shake a stick at.”
After graduating from the University of Redlands in 2014 with a bachelor’s in biology and a minor in human and animal studies, he completed a couple internships before being hired by a biological consulting firm. Working as a desert tortoise biologist for various construction projects, Tomas soon discovered that being in the field as a biological contractor was the path for him.
In 2020, Tomas joined the Transcon Environmental team, now our environmental division, as a biologist compliance monitor in California.
“My goal every day I go to work is to make biology fun and relatable to as many people as I can,” remarks Tomas. “I want people to be as interested and engaged in animals and conservation as I am, because over time, I hope they will share what they’ve learned to future generations.”
Tomas’ manager shares that “his passion for his work is inspiring, and he brings a contagious energy to everything he does. As a skilled biologist, his expertise and thoughtfulness shines through every day on the job, and true to his nature, he’s constantly rescuing wildlife and proudly sharing his latest save with the team.”
With only Antarctica left on his list of continents, Tomas’ global perspective allows him to elevate himself to help his clients and be the best team member he can be.