Thoughts on Zoo volunteers

GeeZee

GeeZee

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I was in two minds about making this thread and I’ve seen zoo volunteers been discussed here and there on this forum but I seldom see a dedicated thread to them.

Recently I was at one of my zoos that I frequent a lot and was chatting to one of the volunteers and I was somewhat suprised about their lack of knowledge when it comes to some of the animals/exhibits and their respective histories etc.

I just wonder what other people’s perceptions of volunteers has been? It seems to me that they are more intended for signposting and undoubtedly a lot of their questions they would receive are things like where’s the nearest toilet etc.

It’s not their fault but I did find it disappointing that beyond this, at least in my experience they offer little in terms of knowledge. I do wonder if they are limited to what they can say, even though it would be public knowledge but I’d of thought the respective zoos would have been able to educate and encourage them a bit more, or maybe I’m expecting too much?

Granted that us on this site are significantly more clued up on zoological knowledge than the average person, and in some cases even more so than some of the volunteers/staff, even though I have been lucky to have met some truly amazing staff, some of which are well known in the media/tv.
 
I would say this varies from zoo to zoo and from volunteer to volunteer. I know several zoochatters who are (and/or were) zoo volunteers, and so there is certainly a group of zoo volunteers who are also zoo nerds and are probably reasonably well informed. Beyond ZooChat, I know of some people who have volunteered at the same zoo for decades and decades, and these people have definitely accumulated a lot of knowledge over time as well. It was great to hear their old stories about what their zoo used to be like, and about things like the quirks and personalities and life histories of individual zoo animals (particularly long-lived animals who the volunteers have gotten to know over the decades). I even know of a volunteer who was invited to give a TED Talk at their zoo, about their experiences volunteering.

Of course, while many volunteers are knowledgable and helpful, there are also some others who are less informed. I remember asking one zoo volunteer what species of orangutan their zoo kept, but they did not know. I remember visiting another zoo where construction was going on everywhere, so I asked a volunteer what was being built. She said she had seen no construction but she had heard that the zoo was planning on opening an exciting new Madagascar exhibit very soon. Unfortunately her answer was completely incorrect, as the aforementioned “new Madagascar exhibit” had already opened over ten years ago. But while it is obviously unideal for zoo volunteers to be uninformed like this, I will say that it at least is relatively harmless.

On the other hand, I have found one of the worst types of zoo volunteers to be the ones who come across as if they hardly endorse their own zoo at all. During a recent visit to one zoo, a visitor said that the animals looked sad, and they asked a volunteer about the ethics of keeping exotic animals in captivity. The volunteer replied that keeping exotic animals in captivity is important because the animals are unable to fend for themselves in nature; the volunteer said that even though zoo animals are sad, it is better for them to be sad in a zoo than for them to be dead in the wild. When I heard that response, I almost vomited in my mouth. I certainly agreed that it is better for zoo animals to be alive in captivity than for them to be dead in the wild, but I couldn’t believe that that was the defense that the volunteer had, when the visitor asked about zoo ethics. When discussing the ethics and importance of zoos, a volunteer should be excited and enthusiastic. They should talk about all their zoo’s great conservation projects, about their zoo’s fascinating species, about their zoo’s influential educational programming, and about the way their zoo is striving to take the best care of their animals possible. If volunteers want people to support zoos, they should be positive and optimistic. They should NOT validate a visitor's uneducated and anthropomorphic opinion that the zoo animals are sad. They should NOT say that captivity in a zoo is at least better than death. That was one of the least compelling and most depressing justifications for zoos I had ever heard, and if volunteers want to make people support zoos and conservation more, then they need to have more positivity and passion and energy as they discuss this topic.
 
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GeeZee said:
Hi all,

I was in two minds about making this thread and I’ve seen zoo volunteers been discussed here and there on this forum but I seldom see a dedicated thread to them.

Recently I was at one of my zoos that I frequent a lot and was chatting to one of the volunteers and I was somewhat suprised about their lack of knowledge when it comes to some of the animals/exhibits and their respective histories etc.

I just wonder what other people’s perceptions of volunteers has been? It seems to me that they are more intended for signposting and undoubtedly a lot of their questions they would receive are things like where’s the nearest toilet etc.

It’s not their fault but I did find it disappointing that beyond this, at least in my experience they offer little in terms of knowledge. I do wonder if they are limited to what they can say, even though it would be public knowledge but I’d of thought the respective zoos would have been able to educate and encourage them a bit more, or maybe I’m expecting too much?

Granted that us on this site are significantly more clued up on zoological knowledge than the average person, and in some cases even more so than some of the volunteers/staff, even though I have been lucky to have met some truly amazing staff, some of which are well known in the media/tv.
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I’ve met a huge range of volunteers. The best volunteers are obviously those who have an immense knowledge, up to date information and a willingness to share that information.

Volunteers are lowest on the chain of information, so both myself and others on here have been told information that was once accurate, but is now outdated and incorrect. Some volunteers are interested enough to take the initiative to find out up to date information, but most are fed a script from the volunteer coordinator and run with it.

Volunteers attract people from all walks of life - but mostly they’re people trying to get into the industry, give back to their community or in some cases, just get out the house. People skills are essential to this role, but don’t always go hand in hand with knowledge. Some volunteers are clearly there for a social.

Some volunteers are unwilling to share information. They’re conscious telling a member of the public something died could lead to negative publicity for the zoo and trying to get information out of them is like getting blood out of stone. In some cases, they’re told to redirect the customer’s focus to positive events which is really irritating when what you’re wanting is a straight up conversation.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Some volunteers are interested enough to take the initiative to find out up to date information, but most are fed a script from the volunteer coordinator and run with it.
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In all fairness they are often not told up to date information even if they do seek it - it avoids leaks before the zoo is ready to release information and/or some things are considered staff knowledge only. It can also be simply the zoo doesn't want volunteers saying "there's a new x coming" or "x is going to have a baby" and word gets out early and then something falls through. Helps avoid potential negative publicity and disappointment.

Zoofan15 said:
Some volunteers are unwilling to share information. They’re conscious telling a member of the public something died could lead to negative publicity for the zoo and trying to get information out of them is like getting blood out of stone. In some cases, they’re told to redirect the customer’s focus to positive events which is really irritating when what you’re wanting is a straight up conversation.
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Also bearing in mind that volunteers can be dismissed at any time no questions asked - I have heard that telling the public information about things the zoo has not given them approval to disclose can easily be grounds for termination. We may want a straight up conversation but they are well aware it won't fly with their superiors if word gets out. Lots of issues with this sort of scenario going on involving Zoochat on the European side of things currently, both with staff and volunteers. It's known here in the states too. There's a point where asking certain questions too much and too often turns one into someone the zoo starts watching...
 
Great Argus said:
In all fairness they are often not told up to date information even if they do seek it - it avoids leaks before the zoo is ready to release information and/or some things are considered staff knowledge only. It can also be simply the zoo doesn't want volunteers saying "there's a new x coming" or "x is going to have a baby" and word gets out early and then something falls through. Helps avoid potential negative publicity and disappointment.



Also bearing in mind that volunteers can be dismissed at any time no questions asked - I have heard that telling the public information about things the zoo has not given them approval to disclose can easily be grounds for termination. We may want a straight up conversation but they are well aware it won't fly with their superiors if word gets out. Lots of issues with this sort of scenario going on involving Zoochat on the European side of things currently, both with staff and volunteers. It's known here in the states too. There's a point where asking certain questions too much and too often turns one into someone the zoo starts watching...
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All valid points.

In an employment context, the common phrase is “it’s more than my job’s worth” which similarly applies to volunteers not wanting to disclose (sensitive) information for fear of being dismissed from something they enjoy doing.

I’ve heard people comment on here that some known ZooChatters aren’t welcome on behind the scenes experiences for the reasons you detail - as well as issues around people taking photos etc.

It’s also worth noting that many of the questions ZooChatters ask would likely be viewed as probing. As a generalisation, we have considerably more depth to our questions than the average visitor asking how much does the lion eat in one sitting etc.
 
Zoofan15 said:
All valid points.

In an employment context, the common phrase is “it’s more than my job’s worth” which similarly applies to volunteers not wanting to disclose (sensitive) information for fear of being dismissed from something they enjoy doing.

I’ve heard people comment on here that some known ZooChatters aren’t welcome on behind the scenes experiences for the reasons you detail - as well as issues around people taking photos etc.

It’s also worth noting that many of the questions ZooChatters ask would likely be viewed as probing. As a generalisation, we have considerably more depth to our questions than the average visitor asking how much does the lion eat in one sitting etc.
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I feel that, in general some of these organisations can almost get offended if you try and probe and ask questions, but I can apply that more broadly in life too not just akin to Zoos etc.

Yet the fact that as humans we have the desire to question things and be inquisitive is what makes us unique as a species afterall :cool:
 
tbh as a volunteer at a zoo I find it really annoying when zoo regulars try to go through volunteers to get sensitive information that isn't public at that time. volunteers often sign NDAs (or similar forms) and are not allowed to share information. Not to mention they never know if they're talking to a curious visitor or if they're talking to a zoo chatter who will take what they said and blast it all over here, jeopardizing their position and the facility's credibility.

ETA: for any zoo or aquarium volunteers on here who feel pressured to spill the beans - "no comment" will always be your friend.
 
I think it’s pretty cool people give up their time to help zoos deal with their visitors. Clearly any information they do give out needs to be controlled. Their knowledge appears to vary but that’s down to time as well as information provided I imagine.

If you determine they have generally poor knowledge about animals and exhibits and they disappoint you, perhaps the answer is to volunteer yourself and do a better job.
 
Lafone said:
I think it’s pretty cool people give up their time to help zoos deal with their visitors. Clearly any information they do give out needs to be controlled. Their knowledge appears to vary but that’s down to time as well as information provided I imagine.

If you determine they have generally poor knowledge about animals and exhibits and they disappoint you, perhaps the answer is to volunteer yourself and do a better job.
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Oh I agree, anyone who gives up their time voluntarily for a cause is great, I don’t think anyone is going to dispute that.

I have done volunteer work myself and I did try and volunteer at a zoo a few years ago but during that time they weren’t recruiting. My situation is a little different now but maybe I’ll have to at least enquire again.
 
GeeZee said:
I feel that, in general some of these organisations can almost get offended if you try and probe and ask questions, but I can apply that more broadly in life too not just akin to Zoos etc.

Yet the fact that as humans we have the desire to question things and be inquisitive is what makes us unique as a species afterall :cool:
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They're not offended. Annoyed if you keep asking, maybe. They have no reason to share things with us, and there's rarely any benefit to doing so. Every zoo is dealing with the risk of ARA types, harassment from from ignorant people who believe ARA nonsense, and other frustrating things. If they want to share something, it'll probably be on the zoo's website/social media.

Humans aren't the only species that do that.
 
From my experience most members of the public just want to know the names of the animals, and maybe how old they are. For the most part, It's better to have a volunteer who has little zoological knowledge, but is approachable and chatty, than one who has a vast zoological knowledge but little in the way of social skills. A mixture of the two is even better of course.
 
I was a zoo volunteer for many years, starting as a keeper aide in my early teens, before becoming a keeper. I’ve worked with lots of volunteers over the years, some great, some… less so. Some are there for the socialization and sense of belonging more than anything else, which can definitely come out in their volunteer talks (did you know that belugas and walruses are major predators of African penguins? Because that’s what I heard a docent tell our guests one day). I rate them all as individuals.

When I visit other zoos, I often find volunteers to be more of a hindrance to enjoying the zoo than a help. I want to enjoy the animals and the facility, not have someone pepper with me random info which may or may not be accurate.

As far as inside info goes, I have to admit - most of the volunteers I work with have very little idea of what is actually going on behind the scenes. Like, to be a degree which sometimes shocks me. I’ve seen some folks this forum quite “inside info” about my zoo which is in some cars laughably, 100% wrong, and have found myself wondering which volunteer must have given them that piece of misinformation.

So take everything with a pinch of salt.
 
Ned said:
From my experience most members of the public just want to know the names of the animals, and maybe how old they are. For the most part, It's better to have a volunteer who has little zoological knowledge, but is approachable and chatty, than one who has a vast zoological knowledge but little in the way of social skills. A mixture of the two is even better of course.
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This ^ I volunteer at Prospect Park Zoo and so many of our species are ones that the average person probably has never seen (sand cats, wreathed hornbills, Bolivian grey titi monkeys, etc.). Most just want to know where they live, their names and age, and if the sands cats are fully grown :p
 
Mary said:
This ^ I volunteer at Prospect Park Zoo and so many of our species are ones that the average person probably has never seen (sand cats, wreathed hornbills, Bolivian grey titi monkeys, etc.). Most just want to know where they live, their names and age, and if the sands cats are fully grown :p
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Thanks for sharing, I see your new, welcome to zoochat as well by the way - nice to see a fellow panda avatar lol.
 
Wafflr897 said:
I just volunteered at the Louisville zoo and i dont know if i'll get in but if i do does anyone have any advice? :D
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Perhaps you can learn from my mistakes on my first day as a volunteer. I was working on the Primate Trolley and my colleague said that the colobus monkey had sharp canines for eating leaves. I said that the monkey ate leaves. I mentioned this to the person in charge and he said that I shouldn't have contradicted my colleague in front of visitors. I should have waited until the visitors had gone and then said about the monkey's diet out of earshot of visitors. You will make mistakes with information, everyone does, and sometimes you can learn from visitors, rather than assuming that you know more than they do.

Good luck
 
Wafflr897 said:
I just volunteered at the Louisville zoo and i dont know if i'll get in but if i do does anyone have any advice? :D
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Be reliable. If you are supposed to be there every week, be there every week and follow protocol to let them know when you can't make it. Being reliable and on time when you are scheduled to be there is a huge part of fulfilling the commitment.

Bring snacks if they allow it, a dozen doughnuts goes a long way to making friends the first few months you are there.

I was a volunteer at ZooTampa for more than a few years in both the aviary and primate departments and about the only question zoo-goers asked was how to get to certain animals and where the closest bathroom was.
 
I’m a volunteer at Werribee Open Range Zoo in Melbourne, Australia.

A lot of what’s been said on this thread pretty much sums it up. My own experience:

The vast majority of questions I get from the general public (95% of questions) are about where the nearest toilet or cafe is, or where does the safari bus leave from etc.

As for my co-volunteers, they all volunteer for different reasons. Some are absolute animal fanatics, others just enjoy volunteering to give something back to the community, some just enjoy being at the zoo, and there are several other reasons for being zoo volunteers.

One thing I’ve noticed where volunteers and Zoochatters differ though, is that Zoochatters are often really interested in the future (ie what species a zoo might be getting soon) whereas the vast majority of volunteers I’ve “worked” with are about the here and now - they are far more interested in what the zoo has now rather than about what the future holds.

All in all, the volunteers at WORZ are a really nice bunch of people - and I’d highly recommend becoming a zoo volunteer at your local zoo - I find it very rewarding.
 
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