Each year our Chapter hosts a fundraising bowlathon called Bowling for Rhinos (BFR). Bowling for Rhinos was initiated to help save the endangered Black rhinoceros of Africa, the symbol for our national organization. Today BFR not only saves rhinos but entire ecosystems.

One hundred percent 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!

Who are we?

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.

What is our AAZK Chapter's mission?

• 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 "connecting people, animals, and the natural world"

Up Coming Events
Art Fair 2013
April 13,14 10-3pm
April 16-19th 11-1pm
April 20,21 10-3pm
We will be selling a wide variety of items from Animal Art to Jewelry!


Bowling For Rhinos 2013
May 2 2013 6-9pm
Apple Place Bowl Apple Valley MN

To Contact Us
mnaazk@state.mn.us

For more information about AAZK visit http://aazk.org/