Junior Keepers
Grant recently completed the 2024 program and sent the Foundation a thank you video!
Want to join the Junior Keepers?
This program is open to teens
who are able to make a long-term commitment.
Visit our Facebook page to see the Junior Keepers in action.
Applications are closed for the 2025 season for ages 14 and up.
There are a few spaces open
for 12 year olds turning 13 prior to October
and encouraged to apply before April.
Will you be a supporter of the 2025 Junior Keeper Program?
Program Details
The Junior Keeper Program is open to qualified young people between the ages of 12 and 16 years old. It’s an opportunity for young people to learn about careers in animal, conservation, and science fields.
In addition to working directly with the animals, Junior Keepers are involved with keeper duties such as enrichment, learning curriculum related to biology and fire science, and working on public speaking skills when presenting at special conservation day events like Earth Day, World Oceans Day, and fundraisers.
Mission
Inspiring Wildlife Stewards for Life, this program serves as a launch pad for teens interested in wildlife conservation efforts, providing hands-on experience to exotic mammals, reptiles, and birds from all over the world. Junior Keepers graduates have moved into roles as professionals in the zoological, veterinary science, and business fields, supporting wildlife conservation and advocacy.
Click Here to watch a slide presentation of the 2024 year in review!
Impacts:
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20 Teen participants between the ages of 12-16
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2024 Special Projects: Amateur Radio, Field Guides, collaboration with Conservation Fusion in Madagascar, Recycling State Government outreach.
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2023 Special Projects: Endangered Species Projects and Rhinoceros Conservation Project in coordination with the new rhinoceros baby "Otto" at Safari West.
Suggested Levels of Support:
$4,000 - Sponsor a Junior Keeper
$2,000 - Program Science Supplies
