Keeping up with the Keepers

Keeping Up With Keepers runs every 3rd Saturday & Sunday, March- October

Applicants must fill out an information form. You can download the form HERE. You may also email us at tulsakuwk@yahoo.com.  All correspondence for the program is via email.

AUDIENCE: Animal lovers, Pre-Vet/College/High School students.  Great idea for Birthday and Holiday presents with Gift Certificates available.

The Keeping Up With Keepers Program at the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum is sponsored by the Tulsa Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK). The program is offered annually and all proceeds go directly to selected wildlife and conservation organizations worldwide. The goal of the program is to educate the public about the zoo keeping profession.  Each participant is paired alongside a zookeeper and assists them through their animal care responsibilities for that morning. This unique opportunity provides a glimpse into a fascinating world that few people experience. Not only is participating in the Keeping Up With Keepers Program fun and exciting but it is a great opportunity to learn first hand about the importance of species conservation and the animal husbandry that takes place daily at the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum. This experience makes a great gift for loved ones too.

Your day will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Tulsa Zoo Administration Building, located on the south side of the zoo. You will enter through the employee gate and check in with the receptionist.  Directions to this entrance will be provided upon completion of your scheduling process. Your assigned zookeeper will meet you at the Administration Building and take you to your volunteer area.  The zookeeper is your authority on what you can and cannot do while working as a volunteer at the zoo.  Feel free to ask questions about the animals, exhibits and anything else of interest.  You will work alongside the zookeeper from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM-Noon.  When your experience has concluded the zookeeper will take you back to the Administration Building and you will exit the zoo property via the same gate upon which you entered.

THINGS YOU MUST DO IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE:

•  Complete the application below and send in your payment.  The cost of the program is $35.00 per person or $30.00 for Tulsa Zoo Friends members per session.

•  ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST TEST NEGATIVE FOR TUBERCULOSIS VIRUS (TB).  The participant must show proof of this test before they can participate in this program at the zoo.  In the event that the individual arrives at the zoo without proof of this negative test, they will be denied the opportunity to participate and rescheduling or canceling for a full refund will result.  The TB test can be administered by your doctor or The Tulsa County Health Department.  It is an inexpensive fee of approximately $5.00.

•  Participants must be age 13 or older.   Ages 13, 14, & 15, at the discretion of the zookeeper, may be asked to observe only.

•  Dress appropriately!  Please remember to wear old clothes and closed toed shoes. It is fine to wear shorts and t-shirts during the summer months.  You may be working in the sun and heat, so a hat, sunscreen and drinking water are important items to consider bringing as well.

•  Some aspects of your experience may be physically demanding, therefore, please consider your present health status before applying.

•  Applications:  Please allow a minimum of ONE MONTH for scheduling purposes.  The scheduling process will not begin until the completed application and payment are received.

Reminder:  The more popular areas may take longer for a date to become available