Video Story
Watch VideoZoo offers employee shadow program
Story By: Andy Koen
Source: KOAA
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has a program that allows the public to work directly with zookeepers and the animals they care for. It's called Zookeeper Shadow for a Day and it's just one of the out of the ordinary ideas the zoo has come up with the help bring in extra cash. Other programs include animal internships, an interview with an animal keeper, animal encounters and behind-the-scenes group tours.
Animal care manager Roxanna Breitigan says the idea is to give customers exclusive access to the animals that a normal ticket doesn't buy. "Our guests come to the zoo and see what happens in front of the scenes, but this really behind the scenes what the keepers do everyday," says Breitigan.
The zoo doesn't receive government funding. So, the animal encounters programs supplement revenue from gate admissions, donors and memberships.
A friend paid for Kate Field to shadow the elephant keepers. She says the experience was fun and educational. "I've really learned a lot about everything that's happening even just at the zoo itself."
Kate got to take Kimba on one of her daily walks. She also fed Kimba a carrot and helped to clean her hooves.
Breitigan says you don't need any special training, and anyone 12 years old and up can apply. A half day of shadowing costs $110, $100 for zoo members. A full day costs $185, $175 for non-members. Click here to learn more about the animal encounters.
