Zookeeper Day

Thank you to everyone who celebrated Zookeeper Day with us! Special thanks to our exhibitors: City of Gainesville PRCA, UF Zoological Medicine, Alachua County Recycles, Busch Gardens, White Oak Conservation, UFCARD, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Orianne Center For Indigo Conservation Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Natural Encounters, Inc., Fun 4 Gator Kids, Alachua County Library District, and Gainesville Balloons & More by Fab Faces. Big thanks to Kona Ice and Mayflower Food Truck for the treats, and to Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, for sponsoring the event!

More than just monkeying around!

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to be a zookeeper?

Zookeeper feeding animal

National Zookeeper Week is celebrated every July to bring attention to the hard work, dedication, and loyalty of zookeepers around the world. Zookeepers are chefs, care takers, builders, scientists, researchers, conservationists, engineers, architects and more!

We will be celebrating and showcasing our incredible student zookeepers and the amazing work they do on July 20, 2024 from 9am – 3pm Participate in activities to see if you have what it takes to be a zookeeper, meet our animal ambassadors, enjoy keeper talks, training demonstrations, live music, and meet with representatives from other zoos and conservation organizations represented by graduates from the Zoo Animal Technology program.

Gainesville is home to the only teaching zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the nation, training future zookeepers in the highest standards of animal care. This event is perfect for anyone interested in working with animals, and will include an information session about the Zoo Animal Technology program

Presentation Schedule:

  • TBD

Visiting Organizations:

  • TBD

Food:

  • Kona Ice
  • Mayflower Food Truck

Date:

July 20, 2024
9am - 3pm

Quiet Hours - 9am - 10am (no music or presentations on microphone)

Admission:

Tickets are only available at the gate the day of event. All credit cards, cash, checks and Apple/Samsung Pay are accepted.

$10 - adults
$6 - children ages 4-12, Seniors (60+), Active Military and Veterans, Teachers, Police, Firefighters, First Responders, EMT/EMS, Healthcare Workers (all with valid ID), UF students and staff with current Gator1 ID
$3 - Electronics Benefits Transfer recipients
(up to 4 total tickets with card, any combination of adults/children)
Free - Children (3 and under), SF Students, Staff, and Retirees (with current SFID), and Zoo Members

Where:

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
3000 NW 83rd St.
Gainesville, FL 32606

This event is funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County