Participate in National Zoo Keeper Week

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It takes a certain type of character to be a zoo keeper. One must know how to keep records, be able to inform and entertain zoo guests, be willing to do the hard labor needed to take care of animals and always look at their job from the perspective of a scientist and researcher.

Oh yeah, and most importantly, zoo keepers must know how to hold their breath for hours while they work inside of the monkey house- that place smells!

So in honor of keepers across the county who are able to feed giant boa constrictors without breaking a sweat and walk trough the elephant house without holding their noses, the Saint Louis Zoo will celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week from July 19 to July 25.

"The Zoo is happy to honor this amazing group of animal specialists," says Dr. Jeffrey P. Bonner, Dana Brown President and CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo. "Our zoo keepers devote their lives to taking care of very special animals on a daily basis, to conserving species for the future and to educating the public about the need to preserve animals and their habitats."

As a special treat this week, keepers from each animal unit will give informal talks throughout the Zoo tomorrow, Thursday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Also, the St. Louis chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) will be giving chats throughout the week to talk about zookeeping and the AAZK. The current St. Louis chapter was established in 2003 and is made up of zookeepers, Zoo staff and volunteers dedicated to professional animal care and conservation.

So stop by the zoo this week to show the keepers some love and to learn a bit more about the people who keep the Saint Louis Zoo running.