Zookeeper Day - more than just monkeying around!

Thank you to all who attended Zookeeper Day in July! We hope you learned all about the amazing work zookeepers do every single day to care for animals and save wildlife. Stay tuned for more information about the event for 2020.

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to be a zookeeper? 

Zookeeper feeding animalZookeepers are chefs, care takers, builders, scientists, researchers, conservationists, engineers and architects. The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is celebrating National Zookeeper Week by showcasing our incredible zookeepers and the amazing work they do every day.

Gainesville is home to the only teaching zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the nation, training future zookeepers in the highest standards of animal care. Bring the whole family, learn from the experts and see if you have what it takes to be a zookeeper! Meet our animal ambassadors, check out a keeper talk and watch a training demonstration. There will be tons of fun-filled activities designed to test your zookeeping skills, as well as crafts and face painting! We’ve also invited organizations represented by graduates of the Zoo Animal Technology Program.

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a zookeeper or had interest in working with animals, make sure to sit in on our Program Advisor’s talk. We will share information about the program, what you can expect and how you can apply. The talk is appropriate for anyone considering the program and will be followed by a question and answer session.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to get an up close glimpse into the wonderful world of zookeeping! Check us out on Facebook to get updates about exciting new happenings at the zoo.

Thank you to our 2019 attending organizations:

  • White Oak Conservation
  • Ashton Biological Preserve
  • Lubee Bat Conservancy
  • ZooTampa at Lowry Park
  • Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
  • Central Florida Zoo's Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation
  • Natural Encounters Inc.
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Date:   

2020 date coming soon
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Admission:

  • $8 for adults
  • $5 for children (ages 4-12), Active Military and Veterans, Seniors (60+), Teachers, Firefighters, Police, First Responders, EMS/EMT, and UF staff and students with ID
  • Free for children 3 and under, Zoo members, and Santa Fe College students, retirees and staff members (with ID)
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