What is National Zookeeper week?

There is a Congressional resolution in progress that will declare July 15-21 as National Zookeeper Week. Congresswomen Susan Davis (D-CA 53rd) and Nancy Boyda (D-KS 2nd) are co-sponsoring the House resolution. The proclamation was initiated by San Diego AAZK and co-sponsored by National AAZK. 
 
Although the resolution has not made it to the congressional floor, it has received all the necessary preliminary approvals needed to be introduced. In the meantime, while Congresswomen Davis and Boyda are preparing to introduce this resolution and plans to celebrate the first National Zookeeper Week have begun.  
 
This is an excellent opportunity for zoos to highlight the zoo keeping profession. It will also be an ideal time to promote AAZK as a professional organization driven by zookeepers.  
 
As the need to protect and preserve our wildlife and vanishing habitats has increased, the zookeeper’s role as educators and wildlife ambassadors has become essential.

During the week of July 15-21, celebrate National Zookeeper Week; both zookeepers and their animals deserve the recognition. 

 
NATIONAL ZOO KEEPER WEEK PROCLAMATION 
 
WHEREAS , worldwide, animal populations are declining at an alarming rate with many facing extinction; and 
 
WHEREAS , zoological institutions have become the final hope for many endangered species recovery programs through conservation research, release programs, and by being a portal through which the general public can view and appreciate disappearing wildlife; and 
 
WHEREAS , zoological institutions are also population managers of keystone and cornerstone species, emphasizing the restoration of not just the endangered species, but a restoration of the delicate balance of nature; and  
 
WHEREAS , zoo keepers are the frontline soldiers for conservation, participating in the battle for species survival and preservation of the natural homelands of the animals they care for through public awareness, education, and exhibition; and 
 
WHEREAS , zoo keepers have become animal caretakers devoting their lives to caring for these animals; and 
 
WHEREAS , zoo keepers have become the spokespersons for vanishing wildlife, carrying the conservation message of habitat loss, endangered species, and preservation of nature’s threatened wild lands to the public; and 
 
WHEREAS , zoo keepers have become animal specialists, as educators, choreographers of animal behaviors through enrichment, behavior managers through operant conditioning, and reproductive specialists through improved observations and husbandry; and 
 
WHEREAS , 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 zookeepers play in animal conservation and education.

Nomination guidelines

The purpose of this award is to recognize individual WPZ Zoo Keepers that exemplify one or more of these qualities:

1.     Nominee’s involvement and dedication to being a Zoo Keeper and to other related causes/organizations truly highlight what it is to be a professional Zoo Keeper and they inspire others in the zoo profession/Animal Management.

2.     The nominee propels the zoo keeping profession through education and awareness.

3.     The nominee creates public and professional awareness of animal situations in the wild.

4.     The nominee’s involvement in conservation efforts.

5.     The nominee’s excellence in animal care.         

6.     The nominee’s dedication and time to projects and programs.

7.     The nominee’s outstanding helpfulness and support of other departments at WPZ.

8.     The nominee consistently delivers outstanding visitor experiences and participates in education programs. 

Qualifications:

·      The nominee must excel in one or more of the above criteria and nominator must give supporting example(s).

·      The nominee must be a Temporary, Regular or Lead Zoo Keeper working at WPZ.

·      The nominee must have been employed at the Zoo Keeper level for at least one year.

·      The nominee must be nominated by his or her peers or other employees/ departments at WPZ.

Nomination procedure (no anonymous nominations):

1.     List nominee’s name.

2.     Identify the criteria the nominee exemplify.

3.     Give example(s) of how they excel in one or more of the above criteria.

4.     Send nominations to Walter Dupree, walter.dupree@zoo.org, by Saturday July 7 th, 2007.

5.     Nominations will be reviewed by a cross departmental committee comprised of the Curators, Collection Managers, Veterinarians and managers from other departments. Awards will be presented at a Zoo Keeper recognition lunch on July 19 th.

6.     For any questions please contact Walter DuPree at 684-4876

 

Woodland Park Zoo is pleased to announce  our participation in the upcoming National Zoo Keeper Week and you can help by nominating Zoo Keepers who exemplify outstanding qualities.

For those that are not familiar with the National Zoo Keeper Week, there is a Congressional resolution in progress that will declare July 15-21 2007 and the third week of July annually as National Zoo Keeper Week. Congresswomen Susan Davis (D-CA 53rd) and Nancy Boyda (D-KS 2nd) are co-sponsoring the House resolution. This is an excellent opportunity for zoos to highlight the zoo keeping profession and the role of AAZK in professional development of Zoo Keepers.

Towards that end, one of the ways we plan to celebrate is to recognize those that work with us on a day to day basis and deserve recognition due to their outstanding service to the zoo keeping profession and Woodland Park Zoo.

Here is where you can help. We are asking for you to nominate keepers you think have shown “outstanding service" to the zoo keeping profession and Woodland Park Zoo. Nominations are being sought from all departments at WPZ. Please, when you make your recommendations, use specific examples of the listed criteria.   Attached are two flyers, one for the awards and the criteria and the other explaining National Zoo Keeper Week. Please note that the deadline for submitting nominations is SATURDAY JULY 7!!

Thank You!!