American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)

Visit the AAZK National Web Site

AAZK is a nonprofit (U.S. 501c3) volunteer organization made up of professional zoo keepers and other interested persons dedicated to professional animal care and conservation.

AAZK began in 1967 in San Diego, CA, with the purpose of promoting professionalism in zoo keeping through education of zoological staff members in the most modern and current techniques of captive exotic animal care.

AAZK's mission is to:

• Provide a resource and a forum of continuing education for the animal care professional and to support zoo and aquarium personnel in their roles as animal care givers, scientific researchers, public educators and conservationists
• Promote zoos and aquariums as cultural establishments dedicated to the enrichment of human and natural resources
• Foster the exchange of research materials, enrichment options, and husbandry information through publications and conferences which will lead to a greater understanding of the needs and requirements of all animals.

Membership is currently about 2,800 and includes individuals at all levels of zoo staff from directors, curators, and veterinarians to zoo keepers, animal health technicians, volunteers, and students.

The Knoxville Zoo Chapter of AAZK represents the Knoxville Zoo among members from 48 of the 50 States, 5 Canadian Provinces, and 24 foreign countries, representing nearly 250 animal-related facilities. The Knoxville Zoo Chapter began in 1987 and membership is currently at 15 people, representing most animal care staff in the zoo.

The American Association of Zoo Keeper's purpose is to foster a professional attitude in animal keepers by encouraging them to become active members of the professional teams at today's zoos and aquariums. AAZK supports the promotion and implementation of zoo keeper education and strives to make the general public aware of our concern for all valid and deserving conservation projects and the need for the preservation of our natural resources and animal life.

AAZK publications, conferences, and chapter activities at local zoos provide keepers with a means to exchange ideas and discuss new methods of professional care, observations on animal behavior and other information. Animal Keepers' Forum, the monthly journal of AAZK, is the principal vehicle for communication among keepers. Other AAZK publications include AAZK National Conference Proceedings, Zoo and Aquarium Professionals and The Resource for Crisis Management in Zoos and Other Animal Care Facilities.

The Knoxville Zoo Chapter of AAZK participates in three major fundraisers each year, raising more than $3,000. You can find us volunteering our time at Feast with the Beasts, Boo! at the Zoo, and Milk and Cookies with Santa. Proceeds are kept separate from the zoo's general fund and donated in the following ways:

• 10 percent is donated to enrichment for the zoo's animal collection. Enrichment is defined as objects and activities that engage an animal physically and/or mentally.
• $250 is donated to Appalachian Bear Rescue each year.
• Sponsoring in-house projects.
• Sending Knoxville Zoo Keepers to conferences and workshops around the nation.
• Donating to conservation projects throughout the world.
• Providing tools to the keepers to help better the animals' lives.

The Knoxville Zoo Chapter of AAZK also organizes and hosts several activities for zoo staff and volunteers, including department open houses and the annual Zoolympics. These activities help boost moral and friendship among the zoo staff and volunteers.

Interested in the career of Zookeeping? Please visit the following web sites to learn more:

http://aazk.org/zoo_career.php
http://www.aza.org/ForEveryone/#car
http://www.sunyjefferson.edu/academicprograms/programs/animal-mgn.html
http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/ZooCareers/zcschool.html
http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/zoo/otherprog.html