Junior Zookeepers

Junior Zookeepers at Wildlife Safari

The Junior Zookeeper program is designed for ages 13-17 to gain unique behind the scenes experience that will help them to find success in their future career goals. Exciting themes will guide these Junior Keeper’s to discover new passions, friendships, and experiences. Their involvement in AZA facility programs such as Junior Keepers will assist in bolstering attendees resumes and/or college applications. Junior Keepers will gain experience through activities, lessons, and animal encounters as well as the responsibilities listed below.

Registration for Summer 2025 Junior Zookeepers is now OPEN!  

Summer Sessions

Session 1: Food and Fun!

June 2nd - June 26th 

Food and Fun are a huge part of anyone's day, come learn all about how we decide diets and enrichment for our animals, and how they play an important role in their daily husbandry and care.

Session 2: Ethogram Elements

July 7th - July 31st

Explore how animals spend their time and how biologists study animals in the field. Come get a better understanding of animal behavior and how humans can use this information to help those species thrive, all while learning proper animal care and husbandry.  

Session 3: How Zoos Help

August 11th - September 4th

Do you know just how valuable zoo's conservation efforts are? If species in the wild ever go extinct, we have a species reservoir to help! Discover other ways that wildlife institutions keep our animals advancing while getting a closer look at the husbandry and care that goes into the operations.  

Important Dates

  • February 17th: Junior Zookeeper registration is OPEN
  • April 22nd: Registration for ALL sessions closes
  • April 22nd: Raptor video application due  
  • May 13th: All TB tests and questionnaires due
  • May 19th: Raptor selections will sent out to all who applied
  • May 19th: Welcome letter with program information and additional details will be sent out to all participants

Questionnaire, TB Test, and Raptor application materials should be emailed to education@wildlifesafari.net once completed. Please use the following subject line format in your email to distinguish what material for which Junior you are sending:

Junior Keeper Last name, First name_Session #A_Subject

Example: Doe, John_Session 1A_TB Test

We must have received a copy of your child’s negative TB test by May 13th, 2025 or you will be taken off the schedule and your registration will be refunded.

 

Junior Zookeeper Program Activities

Activities within the Junior Zookeeper program vary for each participant depending on their past involvement in the program, the amount of time they have spent at the park and their individual interests and abilities. In addition to animal handling practice, educational lessons, and encounters, participants will also be responsible for the tasks listed below.

Junior Zookeeper Responsibilities

(Dependant on Junior Keeper level/experience)

  • Education and Village Husbandry

  • Habitat Care

  • Informal Public Biofact Presentations

  • Creating animal enrichment

  • Preparing and/or distributing diets

  • Hands on experience with the standards and practices of AZA

  • Assisting Staff with ongoing projects

  • Specialized Animal Encounter Opportunities

  • Up close interaction with ambassador animal collection

 

Becoming a Raptor

All Junior Keepers will start as Fledglings. Becoming a Raptor is a privilege earned that enables Junior Keepers to engage duties in this program with a higher level of independence. Raptors will be required to complete an independent project tailored to their interest/abilities. Raptor level Junior Keeper’s will be granted unique opportunities to interact with more advanced animal husbandry and handling. Public facing engagement such as assisting in dome shows, outreach, animal presentations, and assisting with camp programming is reserved for Raptor level only.

*Every summer you must apply to retain Raptor status.

Junior Zookeepers 2025

Registration for Summer 2025 Junior Zookeepers are now OPEN!

Please read and complete this application carefully. Participants must be 13-17 years old by the start date of their selected session. Shifts are from 9:00am-3:00pm. Participants will choose to either work Mondays/Wednesdays (Option A) or Tuesdays/Thursdays (Option B) as their schedule for the session they register for.

2025 sessions run through June, July and August. Participants may register for one or more sessions. Please note that both A and B options for each session will follow the same outline.  

*Fees remain the same regardless of how many days per session the participant attends.

For more information call 541-679-6761 ext 3221 or education@wildlifesafari.net

Bonus Session for Spring Break!

Shifts will be from 9:00am to 3:00pm, with a maximum of 5 shifts for each participant.  

$70 per week for members, $75 for non-members. *Fees remain the same regardless of how many days per session your child is registered for.

Spring Break: March 24th - 28th

Spend your spring break with us exploring animal care and conservation!

*This bonus week is separate from summer juniors, registration will not carry over and participants interested in summer juniors must fill out summer registration opening on 2/17. However, a TB test for spring break 2025 juniors will be valid for summer 2025 juniors as long as it is still current for the selected summer session.