How to get involved in a zoo?

[nanoboy]

Hey folks,

How can a paper pusher like me get more involved in zoos and wildlife parks in Victoria?

The only thing I came up with so far is to be a 'Friend of the Zoo' volunteer at Zoos Victoria, but that does not entail any animal interaction.

Are there any establishments where a volunteer would get to interact with animals?

Cheers.

 

[Chlidonias]

volunteers at larger zoos - especially city zoos - rarely have anything to do with the animals, partly because most potential volunteers are bunny-huggers who think they will just be playing with fluffy animals all day long, partly for safety reasons (whatever the Australian version is of OSH), and partly because a lot of what goes on in a zoo is visitor-related anyway. Smaller private establishments are your best bet because they tend to have fewer staff (for monetary reasons), but usually even there you won't be looking after the animals; although there even if you start as a volunteer for guiding or gardening there's a better chance of proving you're reliable enough to take on some animal work. The very important thing you have to realise is that if you do manage to find a place that allows volunteers to be part of animal maintenance you will not be "interacting" with the animals in the way you seem to imagine - you won't be sitting around playing with them all day, you'll be sweeping, feeding, doing actual work, rain or sleet or sun.

The easiest for you would be to become part of the volunteer programme at Melbourne Zoo or the Aquarium. You won't have anything to do with the animals but you will still find out what its like working there, and if you get chummy with the keepers you may get some benefits. The Collingwood Childrens Farm in Melbourne also takes volunteers and many of those DO work directly with the animals (true they're not monkeys or tigers but still every little bit helps).

Keep an eye on the vacancies in zoo establishments as well. If you don't apply for anything you can't complain about not getting a job in a zoo (of course many jobs require qualifications you don't have but, equally, many are more open). There are also zoo jobs that probably would suit your experience - not keeping animals, but in the offices.

 

[Chlidonias]

just in relation to that last sentence of my post, here's a position available at Healesville right now:

Healesville Sanctuary

Products, Programs and Events Coordinator

• Not For Profit Organisation
• Permanent full-time position

Zoos Victoria engages our visitors in fun, interactive experiences linked to wildlife
care and environmental conservation. As part of the Visitor Experiences Team at
Healesville Sanctuary, you will play a key role in the development, delivery and day
to day coordination of innovative, memorable and meaningful visitor experiences
linked to conservation action.

You are a self-motivated, energetic, detail orientated person with the ability to turn
ideas into meaningful, fun experiences. You have the capacity and drive to hit the
ground running as a key player responsible for the delivery of a range of existing
products, programs and events as well as development and planning of exciting new
visitor offers.

Your background may be in public programs, outdoor or environmental education,
events or tourism. You will have significant experience in training, managing and
leading a team to deliver products or public programs to diverse audiences, as well
as the capacity to develop content within a broad interpretation framework including
face-to-face experiences and animal interactions.

Your demonstrated ability to project manage, work to tight timelines and to problem
solve development and operational issues, as well as a capacity to monitor, evaluate
and report on products and programs is essential.

Your communication skills, confidence, rapport with people and your ability to
inspire others are key traits required for this exciting position.

For more information or to apply online, go to;
PeopleStremeRMS.com : Visitors

Applications close: 5th August 2011.

 

[nanoboy]

Cheers for the advice and the link for the job advert, Chlidonias.

I probably used the wrong word when I said 'interactions'. What I really meant was 'experience with animals', as you may recall from other threads, when I do win the lotto, you can expect to read about Victoria's newest zoo. For that, I would have liked to get some experience with animals, from them being hyperactive to being ill to giving birth to cleaning enclosures to their diets etc etc.

You made a good point about starting off as a FOTZ volunteer as at least I would get some insight into how a zoo operates.

 

[CGSwans]

Nanoboy, I find myself returning to an observation I have made before. What you want is pets, not zoo animals.

I don't say that as a criticism, but you do need to understand that the majority of animals in zoos and wildlife parks are untamed wild animals. When taken in conjunction with Chlidonias' caution that volunteering is not all play, I really do think your own collection of (hand-raised) wildlife is your best option.

 

[nanoboy]

Nanoboy, I find myself returning to an observation I have made before. What you want is pets, not zoo animals.

I don't say that as a criticism, but you do need to understand that the majority of animals in zoos and wildlife parks are untamed wild animals. When taken in conjunction with Chlidonias' caution that volunteering is not all play, I really do think your own collection of (hand-raised) wildlife is your best option.

Hmm... I think that you are partially correct, BUT, I enjoy volunteer work. Thus far it has only been with children and adults. Volunteering to work with animals kills two birds with one stone (pardon the pun). Having a pet is for purely selfish reasons, whereas volunteering to work with animals is still selfish, but a wider community of animals and people could benefit from your work.