Keeper Leticia Plasencia with a young Wolf' guenon.
Did you know that the third week of July is recognized as National Zoo Keeper Week? Well, you probably did if you were at the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park(or just about any other zoo facility in the nation) this past week!
If you are a San Diego Zoo member, you may recall in the July 2010 ZOONOOZ there was an article about National Zoo Keeper Week. Here in San Diego, there were several things set up to celebrate the unique career of being a professional zoo keeper. A big event not at the Zoo or Park was being part of the opening ceremonies for a Padres home game on July 17—we even brought along some of our animal friends for the pre-game activities.
This past week we had zoo keepers on hand to answer questions and talk to our guests about what they do and why. I had the opportunity to bring animals out and about and talk to guests one on one about National Zoo Keeper Week. One of the main things I heard from our guests was, “I had no idea there was a National Zoo Keeper Week. Is it really a nationally recognized week?”
You bet it is!
In fact, it all started right here in San Diego with an idea that there was a need to bring national attention to what zoo keepers do. In 2006, then lead keeper and president of the local American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) board, Bob Cisneros started working toward making this idea a reality. By 2007, the 110th Congress officially passed House Resolution 509, “Supporting the goals and ideals of National Zoo Keeper Week”.
Though recognized by the House of Representatives, that first year’s celebration was primarily located here in San Diego. Now, just three short years later, there was news coverage from around the nation as zoos everywhere brought awareness to the dedication and unique work zoo keepers do every day.
If you missed out on this year’s fun, make sure to keep your eyes open for next year’s National Zoo Keeper Week, always the third week in July. Also keep in mind that the San Diego Zoo has countless keeper talks every day at both the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. Feel free to ask our keepers about their animals and what they do as zoo keepers. And, of course, feel free to thank them for all of their hard work and dedication to animal care, education, and conservation.
Rick Schwartz is a zoo keeper and the San Diego Zoo’s ambassador. Read his previous post, Elephant Rush!
For those thinking about a career as a zoo keeper, see So You Want to Be a Keeper?
To all keepers who work tirelessly at the zoos and parks in the US: Thank you for your dedication and efforts in caring for the animals under your car. Thank you, also, for sharing your knowledge and stories with the public. We love you all!
So many things start at the SDZ and this is just another brilliant idea. Everyone needs to be told that they are doing a good job.
To all the zoo keepers out there everywhere – Thank you so much for all you do during National Zoo Keeper Week and every other week!!!!!