International Zookeeper Day spotlights the important role of wildlife conservation

Today is International Zookeeper Day. The International Congress of Zookeepers (ICZ) established International Zookeeper Day (IZD) on 4th October in 2015 to encourage all who make it their life’s work to care for animals to engage in programs, activities, and ceremonies, which promote awareness of the important role of zookeepers in wildlife conservation.

The ICZ established the day to also raise professional recognition to zookeepers around the world, whether they are involved with zoos, sanctuaries, aquariums, rescue centres, parks or reserves.

Taronga Zoo shared “from providing excellent husbandry and training, to educating and engaging with our guests, a Zookeeper is a jack of all trades, and a master of many.

“Across Taronga’s work, our Zookeepers play a vital role in crucial conservation breeding programs, contributing to world-leading scientific research, providing care to native wildlife in need, and they do it all with a smile on their face. 

“Being a Zookeeper is a 365 day a year role – that means weekends, public holidays and showing up to work rain, hail or shine. We are beyond privileged to have such passionate people on the Taronga team who dedicate their lives to provide our animals the best care possible.”

With many species facing extinction, and with many ecosystems and habitats under tremendous pressure from diverse forces, both natural and man-made, stewardship is the last hope for many endangered species and the professionals who devote their lives to saving species by way of conservation and breeding programs, education outreach, and research work tirelessly to save these animals.

Zookeeper programs are among the array of ways zoos educate on the needs of animals in their care.

Junior Keepers is a specially designed hands-on day for children aged 8 - 11 years old. Taronga Zoo along with others including Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park and Hunter Valley Wildlife Park offer the very popular ‘Zookeeper for a day’ program for children during the holidays.

Through a range of interactive husbandry activities and special behind the scenes visits, Junior Keeper participants have up close encounters with some of Taronga’s Australian Native animals and learn how to care for and protect them into the future.

The Zookeeper for a Day Program is fully supervised by Qualified zookeepers or staff and offers a range of activities, learning about animals’ specific diets, enrichment programs to educate and engage animals and most importantly, the projects the zoos and wildlife parks are involved with across a variety of key species. Booking is essential and spots will fill up quickly – most are fully booked for the October school holidays.

Image top. Credit: Taronga Zoo; Image above. Credit: Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park