National Zoo Keeper Week starts annually on the third Sunday in July. It was brought about to promote the animal keeping profession, recognize the contributions zookeepers make to the care and conservation of exotic species in human care and their contribution to research, public education, and recreation. National Zoo Keeper Week focuses on the need to protect and preserve out wildlife and vanishing habitats via conservation messages created by our institutions. Animal keeper's roles as educators and wildlife ambassadors has become essential, and the AAZK Board of Directors sought to spread that message by establishing National Zoo Keeper Week.

Join us in celebrating and don't forget to thank your favorite keeper for all their hard work!

This year's theme for NZKW, Community Connections, highlights how great animal care and conservation efforts require great teamwork.

All information was gathered from the National AAZK website.