Summary of They’re Here, They’re There; They’re Our Animal Ambassadors!:
The Virginia Zoo has an Animal Ambassador Team that works with and cares for animals with a special job at the Zoo. These animals, known as animal ambassadors, are used in educational programs to help guests develop a personal connection with them and learn about their importance in protecting species. The goal is to debunk misconceptions and stereotypes about certain animals. Animal ambassadors are taken to various locations, including schools and private events, to reach people who cannot visit the Zoo. The ambassador program includes various animals, from large to small, with traits like trainability and calm disposition. Behind-the-scenes tours are available to meet the animal ambassadors and learn about conservation efforts. The funds from these tours support the conservation efforts and the care of the animal ambassadors. Guests can also check for educator and keeper chats to see if any animal ambassadors will be making appearances in education programs.
Summary:
– The Virginia Zoo has an Animal Ambassador Team that works with and cares for animals with a special role in educating the public.
– The Animal Ambassador Program aims to create personal connections between guests and animals while educating them about conservation.
– The program includes a wide variety of animals from different continents and habitats, as well as animals found locally in Virginia.
– Animal ambassadors participate in educational opportunities and programs at the Zoo and off-site, allowing for interactive experiences.
– Behind-the-scenes tours allow guests to meet the animal ambassadors and learn more about their conservation efforts.
They’re Here; They’re There; They’re Our Animal Ambassadors!
Are you interested in getting up close and personal with some amazing animals? Look no further than the Virginia Zoo’s Animal Ambassador Program! This unique program allows guests to meet and interact with various animals while learning about the importance of conservation and protecting our world’s wildlife.
The Animal Ambassador Team at the Virginia Zoo is dedicated to engaging our community and taking action to save the world’s wildlife and their ecosystems. They work tirelessly to care for and train our animal ambassadors, who play a special role at the Zoo. These animal ambassadors are the ones you’ll see up close in a variety of educational opportunities and programs, both around the Zoo and off the zoo grounds.
One of the key goals of the Animal Ambassador Program is to create personal connections between guests and animals. By interacting with these ambassadors differently than they can with animals on exhibit, guests can develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for these incredible creatures. But it’s not just about getting to meet cool animals – it’s also about learning and education.
Assistant Curator of Animal Ambassadors, Tara Baumgardner, strives to have various animals in the ambassador program. From omnivores to carnivores, from animals found in different continents and habitats to those found locally in Virginia, these ambassadors represent the incredible diversity of the animal kingdom. By including such a range of species, Baumgardner hopes to educate guests on the importance of protecting these animals and debunk misconceptions or stereotypes people may hold against certain species.
“It’s really rewarding when we can see that little spark in their eyes and know that they learned something or that we made a connection for them to care,” Baumgardner said.
So, where can you catch a glimpse of these amazing animal ambassadors? You may see them and their keepers doing pop-up encounters around the Zoo, assisting with Educator Chats at the ZooLive! Stage or create memorable, educational moments at birthday parties and private events. These encounters provide guests and program participants unique opportunities to get up close and personal with these animals while learning about their habitats, behaviors, and conservation efforts to protect them.
But the reach of our animal ambassadors extends beyond the Zoo. Some of them can even be taken to schools or individuals who would otherwise be unable to visit the Zoo, providing an opportunity for education and connection with these amazing animals.
Suppose you’re wondering what kinds of animals are part of the Ambassador Program at the Virginia Zoo. In that case, you’ll be excited to know that our keepers care for animals as big as our Burmese python, Cleo, and as small as our tenrec, Quilly Wonka. With many species in between, there is a wide range of incredible animals to meet and learn about. The selection criteria for our animal ambassadors include qualities such as strong trainability, previous experience as an animal ambassador, and a calm disposition.
If you’re eager to meet these animal ambassadors and their dedicated keepers, the Virginia Zoo now offers behind-the-scenes tours with the opportunity to interact with these incredible creatures. These tours allow for in-depth discussions on conserving wild spaces for these animals, and a portion of the proceeds goes directly toward the Zoo’s conservation efforts. So not only will you have a memorable experience, but you’ll also be supporting important conservation initiatives.
And the great news is you can even schedule your behind-the-scenes tour on the day of your visit to the Zoo. So why not take the opportunity to learn more about these amazing animals and the important work being done to protect their habitats? Book your Animal Ambassador Behind-The-Scenes Tour today and join us in our mission to save the world’s wildlife.
In addition to the behind-the-scenes tours, check out the educator and keeper chats on your visit day. You never know when an animal ambassador might make a special appearance in one of our educational programs. So watch for these incredible creatures and their dedicated keepers during your next visit to the Virginia Zoo.
So, are you ready to meet some incredible animals and learn more about their importance in conservation efforts? Don’t miss the opportunity to meet our animal ambassadors and develop a personal connection with these amazing creatures. Book your Animal Ambassador Behind-The-Scenes Tour today and embark on a memorable journey into the world of wildlife conservation.
