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What is AAZK?
AAZK stands for the American Association of Zoo Keepers. It is a membership association for animal care professionals to exchange information and network with one another.
Mission Statement
The mission of AAZK is to advance excellence in the animal keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life.
Vision Statement
AAZK will be the leader in the zoo and aquarium industry fostering professional development and personal connections that advance animal care, animal welfare and conservation.
Purpose
AAZK’s purpose is to foster a professional attitude in animal keepers and aquarists by encouraging them to become active members of professional teams at today’s zoos and aquariums. AAZK supports the promotion and implementation of zookeeper education and strives to make the general public aware of our concern for all deserving conservation projects and the need for the preservation of our natural resources and the species that depend on those resources.
Serving as a professional organization for zookeepers, AAZK is a valuable resource for dedicated animal care workers. AAZK is dedicated to advancing animal care, promoting public awareness, enhancing professional development and contributing to local and global conservation through fundraising and stewardship. Our goal is to inspire and motivate through our roles as animal caregivers, educators and conservationists. Through workshops, conferences, newsletters, and internet forums, AAZK helps animal care staff stay current in husbandry, training, nutrition, and conservation. Well educated keepers using modern techniques means the animals in their care benefit tremendously.
For more information about the American Association of Zoo Keepers, please check out their website below.
Greenville Zoo AAZK Chapter
The Greenville Zoo chapter of AAZK is located in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Zoo is set on 14 acres in the downtown Cleveland Park area of the city. It was founded in the 1950's as a small collection of native animals. In the 1980's, a major fund-raising campaign resulted in the complete reconstruction of the Zoo, and in 1988, the Zoo was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Only about 200 zoos and aquariums in the country are accredited, and according to one publication, the Greenville Zoo is considered one of the ten best small zoos in the United States.
One thing that helps our accreditation with AZA is the fact that our staff is continually involved in conservation efforts locally and throughout the world. One way that we stay involved is through our local AAZK chapter. The Greenville Zoo chapter of AAZK was originally founded in the 1980's and it was recently re-chartered in 2010. Throughout the years we have participated in many fund-raising events and have helped to donate over $7,000 to different conservation causes across the globe.
For more information about the Greenville Zoo, and to take a virtual tour of the zoo, please check out their website below.