Tiffany Soechting • Executive Director
Tiffany started her career at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in 1985, less than a year after their opening. During that over 30 year span of time, she has been an active part of their giraffe program. She has witnessed first hand the growth spawned from the founding sire and dam into a program with two established breeding herds. that have produced over 60 offspring and now the 4th generation to live and thrive in their safe home away from home. Tiffany is the head caretaker of giraffe babies that have required extra nurturing and hand rearing. Her 'biggest baby', Buddy, was born in 2013. He is one of the 9th known living giraffe twins born in the last 200 years. Buddy was the spark of inspiration and the first step of a journey that lead to the formation of this organization. Her career and personal life revolve around her family and their collective interest in raising and caring for animals. She has developed the educational programs and materials for Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, as well as the marketing and public relations programs. That 30 years of knowledge and experience is what she is bringing to help Save The Giraffes.
Catherine Carter Land is a Texan with a huge passion for creativity and adventure. She grew up raising raccoons, whitetail deer, foxes, squirrels, coyotes… basically any animal that her dad would bring home from the field that was in need of help before being released back into the wild. Catherine received her degree in Film and Digital Media from Baylor University in 2013 and began her career in news reporting before moving on to become producer of NatGeoWILD’s Walking With Giraffes. It was during the production of this film that she met Buddy, the twin giraffe born at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. It was their friendship that encouraged her to set out on a journey to help this magnificent species. She is a member of the Coastal Conservation Association, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, Safari Club International and the Wild Sheep Foundation. Catherine’s family taught her the importance and value of protecting and enjoying the great outdoors at a very young age, instilling a deep love and appreciation for wildlife and conservation. She has made it her goal to share that same love and appreciation with people around the world for the betterment of our environment.
Catherine Carter Land • President
Jason Pootoolal • Vice President
Jason Pootoolal is a zoologist and conservationist from Ontario, Canada. He has worked in the management and care of animals for over 20 years and has been an active participant in conservation-focused research for over a decade. Although he has worked with nearly every animal species, he found his true passion is working with ungulates.
When he first started working with giraffe in the early 2000s, their rapidly declining numbers in the wild were ignored and within the zoological world, giraffes were often misunderstood as unintelligent and fearful. Acknowledging what so many of us see in giraffe, a truly amazing and inspiring species. Jason has dedicated his career to advancing their care in human partnership and protecting wild giraffes and the ecosystem they share with so many unique people, plants and animals.
Having collaborated with some of the best and most dedicated giraffe professionals across 5 continents, he has extended our knowledge of giraffe survival and reproduction, as well as advanced care for giraffes living under human stewardship. Jason has assisted in the pioneering of giraffe reproduction for use in proper captive management as well as wild genetic conservation. He has worked towards developing the best practices of caring for the most vulnerable captive giraffes: compromised neonates and the geriatric.
Stephen Momberg • Director of Veterinary Care & Research Programs
Stephen Momberg is an avid and dedicated zoologist and veterinarian, born and raised on a small farm in the South African countryside. From an early age, he developed a deep passion for exploring nature, studying wildlife, and caring for animals.
He earned his degree in Zoology from the University of the Free State in 2016, followed by an Honours in Zoology, where his research focused on rhino monitoring before and after dehorning. Driven by his lifelong dream to become a wildlife veterinarian, Stephen went on to graduate from the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest in Hungary.
After qualifying, Stephen gained valuable experience working in a mixed animal veterinary practice in Mid Wales, United Kingdom. He later returned to South Africa, where he played a vital role in giraffe relocations and helped establish the Giraffe Research Centre — a milestone project aimed at advancing the understanding and conservation of these majestic animals.
Stephen now works at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in Texas with Save the Giraffes, where he continues to combine his veterinary expertise with his passion for conservation. His work spans clinical care, research, and education — all with the shared goal of ensuring a sustainable future for giraffes, both in the wild and in managed populations.
Dr. Kari Morfeld • Director
Dr. Kari Morfeld is a reproductive physiologist and wildlife conservation specialist with extensive experience advancing fertility, herd health, and science-based management in exotic and endangered species. With more than two decades of research and applied reproductive work across the United States and Africa, she is recognized for bridging laboratory science with practical field application to improve reproductive outcomes and long-term sustainability in managed wildlife populations.
Dr. Morfeld holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science with specialization in reproductive physiology, and her research career has focused on monitoring hormones, stress, nutrition, and environmental factors that influence reproductive success. She has worked with a wide range of species—including giraffe, rhino, elephant, bongo, sable, and other African ungulates—and has contributed to major collaborative conservation and breeding initiatives throughout North America and Africa.
Her work includes developing reproductive monitoring programs, applying endocrine and physiological data to improve breeding success, and consulting with wildlife ranches, zoological institutions, and conservation partners to refine husbandry, stress management, and nutritional strategies that support fertility and herd stability.
Dr. Morfeld is the founder of Morfeld Research & Conservation LLC, where she leads projects focused on advancing reproductive science, improving field-based management strategies, and supporting ethical conservation breeding. Her ongoing efforts continue to contribute meaningful data, practical solutions, and measurable impact for species of high conservation priority.
Rebekah Gregory Koehly • Director
Rebekah Gregory Koehly is a life long Texan who has been passionate about large mammals her whole life. Growing up in barns as a hunter/jumper equestrian, she found her happy place was outside with animals. She has a business degree from St. Edward's University and is currently working on her Master of Science in Wildlife Forensic Science and Conservation at the University of Florida. She is a member of Safari Club International, Texas Wildlife Association, National Bison Association and the Exotic Wildlife Association. Currently, she helps manage the Texas Disposal Systems Exotic Wildlife Ranch outside of Austin, Texas, overseeing the care and wellbeing of over 600 animals, including species from 6 continents. Rebekah is particularly proud of their successful breeding herd of reticulated giraffe and she is committed to furthering the science and awareness needed for the conservation of these amazing animals in the wild and in captivity.
T.Dexter Soechting • Director
T. Dexter Soechting has spent his entire life surrounded by wildlife, fostering a deep respect for animal behavior, welfare, and conservation. For the past eight years, he has served as the Director of Animal Care at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, where he oversees the health, daily management, and long-term well-being of hundreds of exotic species. His hands-on leadership and lifelong experience have made him a trusted voice in wildlife care and conservation.
T.Dexter is passionate about all animals, but he has always shared a particularly deep connection with giraffes. Witnessing the rapid decline of giraffe populations in the wild has fueled his commitment to raising awareness, supporting research, and advancing meaningful conservation efforts. His work reflects a lifelong dedication to preserving wildlife for future generations, and he remains a strong advocate for protecting giraffes and other vulnerable species across the globe.
Adrian Luff • Director
Adrian Luff began his career in the wildlife industry in 1999 and has built extensive hands-on field experience across Africa and the United States. As a wildlife consultant, he is known for a practical, field-driven approach to wildlife management and conservation, focused on real-world solutions that improve animal health, performance, and long-term sustainability.
His work centers on identifying and addressing ecological and nutritional challenges within managed wildlife populations, with particular emphasis on habitat conditions, mineral balance, stress, and herd dynamics. Adrian works closely with ranches and conservation operations to develop management strategies that support reproductive success, genetic integrity, and responsible stewardship of exotic and native species.
Adrian serves on the Registry Committee for the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA), where he supports accurate record keeping, genetic integrity, and responsible management within the exotic wildlife industry. His role reflects a commitment to long-term accountability and conservation-focused stewardship across managed wildlife populations.
Through Morfeld Research & Conservation LLC, Adrian partners with ranches, conservation groups, and breeding programs to provide ecological planning, reproductive support, and hands-on field guidance. He has a strong passion for giraffe conservation and is actively involved in programs focused on improving genetic health, habitat management, and long-term viability of both managed and free-ranging giraffe populations.
