HAVE YOU HUGGED A ZOOKEEPER TODAY? NATIONAL ZOOKEEPER WEEK IS JULY 21-27, 2013

Apple Valley, Minnesota July 20, 2013: In recognition of the dedication of zookeepers and aquarists, the Minnesota Zoo, along with the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) and zoos across the nation, will celebrate National Zookeeper Week, July 21-27, 2013.

National Zookeeper Week was created by AAZK to help increase public awareness about the need to preserve our precious habitats, the animals which inhabit them and the roles zookeepers play in animal conservation and education.

Zookeepers serve as animal care experts, frontline educators, and conservationists, says Minnesota Zoo Director/CEO Lee Ehmke. We are proud to have zookeepers recognized for the important work they do on behalf of the animals in our zoos, and more broadly for wildlife conservation.

The Minnesota Zoo employs more than 75 zookeepers to provide exceptional animal care to more than 4,300 animals (from large mammals to very small insects) that live at the Zoo. In addition, 25 zookeeper interns gain valuable experience every summer learning about this amazing career.

The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) is a non-profit volunteer organization made up of professional zookeepers and other interested persons dedicated to professional animal care and conservation. For more information, visit www.aazk.org.

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

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Contact:

Josh Le

Social Media & Marketing Coordinator

952.431.9534

Josh.le@state.mn.us