National Zookeeper Day is on tap at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo on Saturday, July 19.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3000 NW 83rd St. in Gainesville.
Participate in activities to see if you have what it takes to be a zookeeper, meet our animal ambassadors, enjoy keeper talks, training demonstrations and meet with representatives from other zoos and conservation organizations represented by graduates from the Zoo Animal Technology program.
Tickets are only available at the gate on the day of the event. All credit cards, cash, checks and Apple/Samsung Pay are accepted.
The cost is $10 for adults; $6 for 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 for Electronics Benefits Transfer recipients (up to four total tickets with card, any combination of adults/children); and free for children 3 and under, SF students, staff and retirees (with current SFID) and zoo members
Training demonstrations:
Tree kangaroos at 9:30 a.m.
Caracals at 10 a.m.
Capuchins at 11 a.m. and noon
Galapagos tortoises at 12:30 p.m.
Lemurs at 1:30 p.m.
Gibbons at 1:30 p.m.
Armadillo at 2 p.m.
Animal encounter shows:
Zoo Done It at 10:30 a.m.
Keepers and creatures at 11:30 a.m.
Zoo Animal Technology Program Presentation – Kara Sylvester:
1 p.m.
Visiting Organizations:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
University of Florida Zoological Medicine Department
UF CARD – Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation
Fun 4 Gator Kids
Busch Gardens Tampa
Cicada Wildlife Station
Brevard Zoo
USDA National Wildlife Research Center
Zoo Tampa
Humane Society of North Central Florida
Visit Gainesville
Food & Fun:
DonutNV
Kona Ice
Mayflower Food Truck
Free face painting by Fabulous Faces
Alachua County Public Library Bookmobile
Quiet Hours:
9 to 10 a.m. (no music or presentations on microphone)