8:45 am: |
Registration and Uniform distribution
The keeper uniform: something hardy and unafraid of grime.
You will get a keeper T-shirt, pants and boots, not just for the day, but for keeps. |
9:15 am: |
Programme Overview
Keepers’ work is not easy work. Education staff will brief you on all aspects of their responsibilities for the day. |
9:30 am: |
How Zoo Works
Cooperation is everything. Get a closer perspective on how different departments in the zoo work together to get the job done. |
10:00 am: |
Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre Overview
Darts and guns, vitamins and calcium supplements. The Interpretive Gallery brings light to visitors how our 4,000 animals are kept in the pink by our zookeepers and vets. Go behind-the-scenes of the world-class animal hospital and you may even get the chance to witness one of our vets in action. |
10:30 am: |
Workstation 1: Fishing Cat Trail @ Night Safari
Working with nocturnal animals is a challenge as their world is a whole lot different from ours, requiring daily precision, and strong observation skills. So, learn the adaptations of the fishing cat as well as the other animals found along this exciting trail at the Night Safari. Oh, not forgetting food preparation for your nocturnal charges. So, roll up those sleeves and get down to work at the Fishing Cat Trail.
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12:00pm: |
Lunch
Tuck in and restore those energy levels. Adventure awaits you in the next half of the day. |
1:00 pm: |
Workstation 2: Show Presentation Department @ Night Safari
Conditioning of the animals is key to a show presentation. Learn how the zookeepers encourage the animals display their natural behaviours onstage and on cue. Besides all these going-ons, help to keep the animals enclosures spick-and-span. Highlight: learn the script of the “Creatures of the Night Show” from the presenter. Let the spotlights shine unto you. |
3:00pm: |
Refreshment
Enjoy a tete-a-tete with your colleagues for a day over a hot beverage and cookies. |
3:30pm: |
Workstation 3: Animal Enrichment
Over and above just cleaning and feeding, keepers are responsible for animals’ overall physical and psychological well being. Besides proper husbandry, keepers have to observe animals’ behaviour and conduct their own research, before designing, implementing and documenting enrichment activities for their animals. Using your creativity and animal knowledge, try your hand at preparing an animal enrichment activity of your own. Consider how you will implement it, and how you will conduct observation and documentation of the animals’ behaviour during enrichment. The zoo’s very own Enrichment Officer will guide you along this exercise. |
5:00pm: |
Debrief
Time really flies! We have come to end of the day’s adventure. Did you see the animals snoozing away at the Night Safari? Were you inspired to join us as a show presenter? You are certain to have had some very interesting encounters. It’s time to share your day’s experience. |
5:45pm: |
Home Sweet Home |
*Participants will be fully accompanied by an Education officer.
** Participants will ‘rub shoulders’ with and get to talk to a full-time Zoo Keeper at each workstation.
