KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— Knoxville Zoo joins the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) in recognizing the contribution of zoo keepers and aquarists to conservation, education and animal care during National Zoo Keeper Week, July 19-25.  During the week, zoos nationwide honor the approximately 6,000 animal care professionals in the United States who work to help increase public awareness about vanishing wildlife and the impact of habitat loss.
                                                                    
Today’s zoo keepers are part of a specialized and demanding profession who care for a diverse collection of animals from mammals and birds to reptiles and amphibians to fish and invertebrates.   Zoo keepers have also become ambassadors for threatened wildlife, playing a key role in zoos’ endangered species recovery programs through conservation research, release programs, and educational programs. 

Knoxville Zoo has more than 50 zoo keepers on staff, many of whom are recognized as experts in their respective fields.  The zoo’s keepers have national reputations for their work in the care and management of red pandas, the breeding of white rhinos, native song bird research, and research leading to the successful breeding of rare and endangered reptiles.     

“Zookeeping is a tough job,” says Lisa New, director of mammals and birds at Knoxville Zoo.  “The work can be physically demanding, with long hours in all kinds of weather.  But knowing that you’re part of a bigger picture, that you’re making sure these animals will be around for the next generation to enjoy and learn from, that makes it the most rewarding job in the world.”     
 
Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392 from Interstate 40 and is open every day except Christmas Day. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open everyday from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3:00 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org