Erna Walraven was born in the Netherlands and moved to Australia via Spain in the 1980s. She has worked in zoos for more than three decades, including as Senior Curator at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, for 20 years, where she is responsible for the scientific management of 400 species, including genetics, taxonomy, behaviour, welfare, interpretation and research. She was also a consultant to other zoos on animal husbandry, welfare and other matters.