American Association of Zoo Keepers
Greater Sacramento Chapter
AAZK is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer organization made up of professional zookeepers and other interested persons dedicated to professional animal care and conservation. 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.
Mission Statement
Greater Sac AAZK is a chartered member in good standing of American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Our purpose shall be to educate and assist zoological personnel in their roles as animal caretakers, public educators, scientific researchers, wildlife conservationists and to promote our zoological institution as a cultural establishment, dedicated to the enrichment of human and natural resources.
We will support and publicize our concern for deserving conservation projects and do our part in educating the general public to the need for preserving our natural resources and animal life. We will promote public education on the topics of zoos and related animal care facilities as well as promote and establish good relationships amongst professional zoo keepers. We strive to establish a means to stimulate incentive and create greater interest in sound captive animal management through the zoo keeping profession; and to promote projects and programs that will strengthen the professional zookeeper’s knowledge.
Officers
President: Rachel Winkler, Keeper
Vice President: Katelyn Ferrie, Teen/Intern Coordinator
Treasurer: Andrea Haverland, Keeper
Secretary: Jasmine Rosario, Keeper
Outreach & Social Media Coordinator: Bailey Higa, Education Specialist
You’ve seen them flock on TV. You’ve seen them flock at the Sacramento Zoo. Now you can see them flock to your neighbor’s front lawn! Sacramento’s chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (Greater Sac AAZK) is helping a flock of bright pink, plastic flamingos move along their migratory path through the greater Sacramento area, and you can choose which residences they stop at! Surprise your friends, relatives, or neighbors with a bright flock of flamingos covering their lawn. Flocking someone makes every occasion humorous and special, and it can turn an ordinary day into something a little bit more whimsical.
Here’s How it Works
For a $40 donation, the migration management team will release a flock of plastic flamingos onto the lawn of your intended recipient. These flamingos migrate under the cover of darkness, meaning they will go unnoticed at their current roost until morning. They will typically roost for 48 hours and then, with the assistance of Sacramento zookeepers, continue along their migratory route. A large greeting sign along with a personalized message from you will accompany the flock. The recipients will also receive an explanation of the flocking, care instructions, flamingo facts, and the number to the plastic animal control hotline.
To schedule a flamingo flocking, please fill out this form here! One of our Flocking Managers will contact you within 48 hours!
AAZK Events
AAZK hosts events throughout the year at the Sacramento Zoo as well as in other locations. These fun events not only generate funds for worthy organizations, they raise awareness of conservation efforts in Sacramento and around world, inspiring kids and adults to get involved!
9 am to 4 pm, At the Sacramento Zoo
Come celebrate Reptile and Amphibian Day! Did you know that the Sacramento Zoo houses over 100 reptiles and amphibians? Amphibians include frogs, salamanders and caecilians, all of which breathe through their skin, making them important indicators of ecosystem health! Sadly, there are nearly as many threatened species of amphibians as birds and mammals combined.
Reptiles represent some of the oldest living species on the planet, having existed in many different forms for millions of years. Today they include: snakes, lizards, crocodilians, turtles and tuataras. Find out more about these amazing animals and what you can do to help conserve them by enjoying a day filled with special animal encounters, crafts, games, prizes and fun for the whole family!
Visit the CELEBRATE! Reptile and Amphibian Day webpage.
At the Sacramento Zoo
Come help us celebrate and conserve the world’s tallest animals for World Giraffe Day, the longest day of the year! Unfortunately, giraffe populations have faced a 40% decline in the past 30 years, dropping their numbers to below 100,000 individuals, putting them into what conservationists are calling a “silent extinction.” Find out more about these gorgeous gentle giants and how to help them through crafts, games and educational keeper chats. There will also be raffles, art and other opportunities for you to help raise funds for The Wild Nature Institute, a conservation organization based in Tanzania that helps save Masai giraffe, like our very own Chifu and Shani!
Visit the CELEBRATE! Giraffe Day webpage.
10 am to 4 pm, at the Sacramento Zoo
Help us celebrate World Meerkat Day! Did you know that meerkats are group animals that live in the Kalahari Desert in Africa! Meerkats have a complex social structure that includes whose turn it is to stand guard of the group, ensuring that someone is always looking out for danger!
Come celebrate World Meerkat Day to meet our resident mob of meerkats who love to interact with guests at their exhibit window! Grab your family and friends to take part in interactive crafts, educational activities and fun raffles to learn all about meerkats, their habitat and their social structures!
Visit the CELEBRATE! Meerkat Day webpage.
At the Sacramento Zoo
Are you a Sacramento Zoo member? Join us for the Member Evening, which is just for you! AAZK is hosting an enrichment fair that night, where you have the chance to play an active role in the enrichment of our zoo animals. Purchase pre-made enrichments from zookeepers and watch as the animal enjoys it on the spot! Keepers will also be on hand to answer any of those animal questions you have just been dying to ask. Proceeds benefit Greater Sac AAZK.
9 AM TO 4 PM, At the Sacramento Zoo
This year, AAZK is celebrating all primate species with World Primate Day! Here at the Sacramento Zoo, we have apes, monkeys and lemurs, all of them threatened or endangered. Primates are highly intelligent and our closest relatives. We are so excited to share our love of primates with zoo visitors through interactive activities, keeper chats, training sessions and lots of fun enrichments for our beloved primates! Come to the Sacramento Zoo to learn how you and your family can help save these spectacular species.
Visit the CELEBRATE! Primate Day webpage.
9 AM TO 4 PM, At the Sacramento Zoo
Come help us celebrate and conserve the okapi, the only living relative of giraffe! Found only in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, okapi are faced with increased human/animal conflict in their limited habitat, causing their population to drop between 10,000 to 35,000 individuals. Learn more about these unique creatures and what you can do to help through games, crafts, keeper chats and more! There will also be raffles and art, among other opportunities to help raise funds for the Okapi Conservation Project, an organization that works in the Democratic Republic of Congo to educate local people, and save okapi like Sacramento Zoo’s own Forest and Molimo!
11:30 am to 1:30 pm, at the Sacramento Zoo
Celebrate the holiday season with homemade fresh and burlap wreaths in addition to ornaments painted by the zoo animals! We will be inside the front of the zoo on December weekeneds selling beautiful wreaths and ornaments for your home. While supplies last. Proceeds benefit Greater Sac AAZK animal conservation efforts.
