Have You Ever Volunteered For A Zoo And If So...

[Captain Retardo]

What do you do? And did you like it?

At the Como Zoo (Or Minnesota Zoo I forgot) in Minnesota there are volunteer programs where you give info about the animals and some other stuff (that's what im asking about) and i would like to volunteer.

The best part i could put this topic in is in this forum

 

[zelandonia]

I volunteered for the Vancouver Aquarium (similar to a zoo). I liked the month long training sessions because I learned a lot about a field that was interesting to me. I didn't appreciate the fact that I had to pay to become a volunteer. Shortly after I became a volunteer I got hired there. It's a good foot in the door if you are interested in eventual employment. I enjoyed volunteering behind the scenes rather than interacting with the tourists. The Vancouver Aquarium is involved in a lot of marine and ecological research and it was very interesting to do water quality and intertidal zone studies. I volunteered for beach cleanups and they were very satisfying!

There is someone on the forum who worked at sea world. She did a show for the patrons during one of the marine mammal acts. I can't remember who she is right now but maybe she will show up and throw her 2 cents in.

z.

Edit: I was thinking of littlefishie and it was Marine Land not Sea World. Here is the thread (but she hasn't been active for a while)

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...0960&hl=costume

(I agree that this doesn't seem to be the right place for this thread but there doesn't seem to be a more suitable place either so don't be sad if it is closed )

 

[Captain Retardo]

It is free for me. I think ill be working with all kinds of animals. I really wanna do this because i want to have a career with studying animals when i grow up (zoologist) and i really think this would help.

 

[RandomWiktor]

I volunteered at the Trevor Zoo (aka Millbrook School Zoo) in NY. I was there for ~ 5 years as senior volunteer, but they had a period of poor leadership during which I felt the animals and facilities were not being properly cared for, and I quit. They have since changed employees and the place is now back to its beautiful, well-cared for self, but I don't really intend on going back since I've been a little dissillusioned by thier previous lapse.

At any rate, with the exception of the conflict that caused me to quit, I think it was a fantastic experience. It was a pretty small zoo, but AZA approved with gorgeous exhibits and SSP work. My work there included twice-daily feedings, exhibit cleaning and maintenance (ie. weeding, fixing fences, etc), building cleaning and maintenance (sweeping, mopping, emptying drains), behavioral enrichment duties, composting, and caring for the mice, rats, and gerbils in the live feed room. I also got plenty of exposure to the wildlife rehab program, which is what encouraged me to get my own liscence, and even got to adopt a few exotic pets who had been abandoned at the zoo's main building (something which happened with truly depressing frequency).

If you can get an opprotunity to volunteer, I strongly suggest it. It is wonderful experience, will look great on a college app, and will strengthen your understanding of animal behavior.

 

[Captain Retardo]

I volunteered at the Trevor Zoo (aka Millbrook School Zoo) in NY. I was there for ~ 5 years as senior volunteer, but they had a period of poor leadership during which I felt the animals and facilities were not being properly cared for, and I quit. They have since changed employees and the place is now back to its beautiful, well-cared for self, but I don't really intend on going back since I've been a little dissillusioned by thier previous lapse.

At any rate, with the exception of the conflict that caused me to quit, I think it was a fantastic experience. It was a pretty small zoo, but AZA approved with gorgeous exhibits and SSP work. My work there included twice-daily feedings, exhibit cleaning and maintenance (ie. weeding, fixing fences, etc), building cleaning and maintenance (sweeping, mopping, emptying drains), behavioral enrichment duties, composting, and caring for the mice, rats, and gerbils in the live feed room. I also got plenty of exposure to the wildlife rehab program, which is what encouraged me to get my own liscence, and even got to adopt a few exotic pets who had been abandoned at the zoo's main building (something which happened with truly depressing frequency).

If you can get an opprotunity to volunteer, I strongly suggest it. It is wonderful experience, will look great on a college app, and will strengthen your understanding of animal behavior.

Thanks, that really helped a lot.

Also, i found the website that has the info about volunteering (it's the only thing available to me for my age), http/www.volunteertools.com//Tools/Oppor...64855&Key=10448