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The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) is a nonprofit
organization made up of animal care professionals and related
persons dedicated to conservation, education, and professional
animal care in zoos and aquariums. The Minnesota Zoo Chapter of
AAZK was chartered in January of 1994.
- to provide a resource and forum for continuing
education of the Minnesota Zoo's animal care professionals.
- to support the Zoo's animal care staff in their
roles as animal caretakers, researchers, public educators and
conservationists.
- to provide monetary and material support for
conservation and educational programs.
- to assist the Minnesota Zoo in advancing its
mission of "strengthening the bond between people and the
living earth."
Learn more about the conservation initiatives
supported by AAZK
AAZK Members' Nights: The members of our AAZK Chapter volunteer
their time to offer the Minnesota Zoo Members unique opportunities
to go behind the scenes at the Zoo to see how zookeepers care
for the animals, participate in fun enrichment activities and
learn more about conservation. AAZK has offered a variety of themed
evening events like Zoolympics, Zoo Babies, Animal Enrichment
Nights and small group events highlighting individual species
at the Zoo. Because our members volunteer their time, all of the
proceeds benefit the Minnesota Zoo's Conservation Fund.
Curious about exploring the underwater world of diving but aren’t sure about the crazy breathing contraption and all that gear? Here’s your chance to try out SCUBA equipment in a safe and easy introduction to the sport. Find out more.
 Each
year our Chapter hosts a fundraising bowlathon called Bowling
for Rhinos (BFR). Bowling for Rhinos wasinitiated to help save
the endangered Black rhinoceros of Africa, the symbol for our
national organization. Today BFR not only saves rhinos but entire
ecosystems. 100% of the money we raise supports three wildlife
sanctuaries. The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, Africa is
home to Black and White rhinos, elephants, zebras, giraffes and
more. In 1994, AAZK expanded its efforts to include Ujung Kulon
National Park in Java, Indonesia. Java is home to the remaining
50 Javan rhinos and to one eighth of the world's mammal, bird,
reptile, amphibian and plant species yet occupies only one percent
of the earth's land surface. Of the five species of rhinos left,
the most critically endangered is the Sumatran rhino, so in 1997
keepers again expanded their efforts to include a third park,
Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra, home not only
of the Sumatran rhino but also the highly endangered Sumatran
tiger and the Malayan sun bear. With the support of these three
parks we are now helping to conserve rhinos and their ecosystems
worldwide!
Each October our AAZK Chapter holds a nine-day art fair at
the Zoo, featuring the artwork, photography and crafts of Zoo
staff. We also have a silent auction with unique items like clay
molds of paw prints of zoo animals like tigers, wolves and more.
The AAZK Fall Art Fair is a great place to get some unique holiday
gifts while supporting our efforts in conservation and education.
Look for Art Fair dates to be announced in the members' newsletter
and on the events page when the dates are set.
For more information about AAZK or any of our events please email
us at:
Mnaazk@mail.mnzoo.state.mn.us
http://www.aazk.org/aazknew/
http://www.bfr.org
http://www.mvhspets.org
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