Lincoln Park and Rosamond Gifford Zoos Celebrate Zookeepers Week

Lincoln Park Zoo  - In recognition of the valuable and important role zookeepers perform in caring for some of the world’s most imperiled species, Lincoln Park Zoo joins zoos across the nation in celebration of National Zookeeper Week July 20 – 26. 

Zookeepers are vital advocates and educators about wildlife conservation. The very survival and existence of some species is literally in their hands. Two species cared for at Lincoln Park Zoo have become extinct in the wild – the Guam rail and Micronesian kingfisher. If it were not for the exceptional care provided by zoo caretakers these species would vanish from the planet. Zookeepers and scientists are working diligently with breeding and habitat conservation efforts so that one day these species may return to the wild.  

Zookeeping is a unique, complex and constantly evolving discipline that is both challenging and rewarding. Whether it is New Year’s morning or Christmas day, animals need constant care and there are always devoted and dedicated zookeepers on hand serving as guardians to some of the planet’s most endangered creatures. 

Stop by the zoo during a “Keeper Chat” to learn more about zookeepers and the animals they care for. Keeper chats happen daily between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at various locations throughout the zoo. 
For more information about the National Zookeeper Week and the rewards and challenges of being a zookeeper, please visit www.lpzoo.org.    
 

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is celebrating National Zoo Keeper Week from July 20 -26, in a way that will hardly go unnoticed by guests as they enter the zoo. National Zoo Keeper Week is a way of celebrating and thanking everyone for what they do to make the zoo as special as it is.

 One of the focal points of this week will be the newly purchased signage that will create a sense of identity for the zoo and ignite excitement as guests enter the zoo each day.  The zoo’s chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) recently donated the funds to purchase the sign that welcomes visitors to the zoo. 
 
A Congressional resolution declared the first ever National Zoo Keeper Week last year. The week of celebration is supported and co-sponsored by the American Association of Zoo Keepers.  The Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s chapter of AAZK is comprised of animal care staff, Friends of the Zoo staff and zoo volunteers.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is focused on conserving, exhibiting and interpreting a living animal collection in order to promote public recreation, understanding of the relationships between animals and people, and action to sustain the environment we share.    The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   Admission is $6.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors age 62 and up and students age 16 to 21 with I.D, $4.00 for youth ages 3 to 15.  Children two and under are free.   For more information, call the zoo at (315) 435-8511 or visit the zoo’s Web site at www.RosamondGiffordZoo.org.
 

Photo #1  Lincoln Park Zoo Keeper Nicole Kehl feeds a Guam Micronesian kingfisher chick at the McCormick Bird House.

Photo #2  Lincoln Park Zoo Keeper Mike Skidmore uses a slice of tomato to get a red-footed tortoise to take its medicine.