Oakland Zoo Honors a Profession of Dedication During National Zoo Keeper Week
Oakland, CA (PRWEB) July 22, 2014 -- In recognition of the dedication of zoo keepers and aquarists, Oakland Zoo is joining the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) (http://www.aazk.org) and zoos across the nation celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week July 20-26.
Oakland Zoo employs more than thirty-eight zoo keepers to provide quality humane animal care to over 660 animals (from African elephants to otters to tiny ants and insects) that currently live at the Zoo. “National Zoo Keeper Week is an opportunity for us to show appreciation to Keepers and thank them for their dedication and quality care they provide animals at Oakland Zoo,” said Colleen Kinzley, Director of Animal Care, Conservation, and Research.
In honor of Zoo Keeper Week, Oakland Zoo will be hosting “Keeper Talks” throughout the Zoo during the week of July 20 – 26 (see https://www.facebook.com/OakZoo for details). In addition to the Keeper Talks, Oakland Zoo will be giving the public the opportunity to ask Keepers questions on facebook @oakzoo. Fans of the Zoo can like the Zoo’s facebook page and ask animal questions that will be answered by zoo keepers. Besides questions and answers, Oakland Zoo will post photos and videos of zoo keepers, animals, and activities all week long on facebook. Celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week by joining the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/OakZoo.
“The American Association of Zoo Keepers is excited to announce National Zoo Keeper Week,” said Shane Good, President of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, inc. “This national celebration is in recognition of Zoo keepers, aquarists, and the animal care professionals in our nation's zoological parks and aquariums. Zoo keepers serve as animal care experts, frontline educators, and conservationists. We are proud to have zoo keepers recognized for the important work they do on behalf of wildlife and conservation.”
Created by AAZK, Inc, National Zoo Keeper Week is celebrated each year beginning on the third Sunday in July. During the week, zoos nationwide honor animal care professionals and the work they do in animal care, conservation, and education. There are approximately 6,000 animal care professionals in the United States.
To help increase public awareness about the need to preserve our precious habitats and the animals which inhabit them and to recognize the roles that zoo keepers play in animal conservation and education, the American Association of Zoo Keepers invites zoos, aquariums, and their guests to participate in National Zoo Keeper Week.
ABOUT OAKLAND ZOO:
The Bay Area’s award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to more than 660 native and exotic animals. The Zoo offers many educational programs and kid’s activities perfect for science field trips, family day trips and exciting birthday parties. Oakland Zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation onsite and worldwide. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 500-acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580. The East Bay Zoological Society (Oakland Zoo) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported in part by members, contributions, the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks. For more information please visit our website at http://www.oaklandzoo.org.
ABOUT AAZK:
The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) is a non-profit volunteer organization made up of professional zookeepers and other interested persons dedicated to professional animal care and conservation. The mission of AAZK is to advance excellence in the zoo keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life. For more information, visit http://www.aazk.org.
Contact: Nicky Mora, Senior Manager, Marketing/PR
(510) 632-9525 ext. 130
nmora(at)oaklandzoo(dot)org
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Nicky Mora, Senior Manager, Marketing/PR, Oakland Zoo, http://www.oaklandzoo.org, +1 (510) 632-9525 Ext: 130, [email protected]
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