The American Association of Zoo Keepers

New England Chapter

 

Don't miss Ape Rock!
This 24-hour rock-a-thon will support ape awareness 

There will be a whole lot of rocking going in Franklin Park Zoo’s Tropical Forest beginning at 2:00 p.m. on July 16! Be sure to stop by to cheer on Dan McLaughlin, President of the New England chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and a Senior Zookeeper at Franklin Park Zoo, as he and other zookeepers rocks in rocking chairs for 24 hours to raise awareness about ape conservation. They will rock in front of the gorilla exhibit and will talk about ape conservation and answer questions from the public.

 

In addition to raising awareness about ape conservation, the New England AAZK chapter will also raise money to support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Ape Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) Conservation Initiative. Visitors will be able to make contributions at the event. AZA's Ape TAG Conservation Initiative is comprised of different zoological institutions and other zoo-related groups who commit to paying yearly dues that support wild ape conservation programs. The ape family includes bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, gibbons, orangutans, and siamangs. In the wild, apes face a host of deadly threats including illegal hunting, habitat loss as a result of mining, logging and agricultural conversion, disease and the pet trade.

 

What is AAZK?

The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. began in 1967 in San Diego, CA with the purpose of promoting professionalism in zookeeping through education of zoological staff members in the most modern and current techniques of captive exotic animal care.

The New England AAZK chapter was established in 1981. The organization is dedicated to conservation and zookeeper education.  Each year we raise funds to support conservation and professional development of our staff through scholarships. 

  

Contact Information

If you would like more information or would like to make a donation to AAZK please contact one of our officers at 617-989-2081.

President: Dan McLaughlin
Vice President: Jef Taylor
Treasurer: Lori Valois
Secretary: Rachel Jakosalem

Liaison: Siobhan McCann

 

Conservation

The New England Chapter of AAZK has donated to various organizations including Pandrillus, Drill Rehabilitation & Breeding Center in Nigeria and the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center in Panama.

Annually, we participate in Bowling for Rhinos to benefit the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya and rhino conservation in Indonesia. Our 2009 Bowling for Rhinos event broke our previous chapter record and raised $4,163 for rhino conservation.

Proceeds from our past two Trivia Nights have enabled us to help with conservation efforts locally by supporting the Franklin Park Coalition and Forest Hills Educational Trust. Last summer, we helped the Franklin Park Coalition remove an invasive species of plant from Franklin Park, which helped to further preserve the natural beauty of this space.

Our newest endeavor has been becoming founding members of the AZA/Ape TAG Conservation Initiative. Proceeds raised from our first-ever Ape Rock event in January supported this effort. By joining the AZA/Ape TAG Conservation Initiative we will be able to help with the conservation of wild ape populations. To learn more about the Ape TAG visit http://www.apetag.org/.

 

Links American Association of Zoo Keepers http://www.aazk.org Association of Zoos and Aquariums http://www.aza.org Bowling for Rhinos http://www.aazkbfr.org El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center http://www.houstonzoo.org/en/cms/?2149 Lewa Wildlife Conservancy http://www.lewa.org Pandrillus, Drill Rehabilitation & Breeding Center http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/idp/idp/entry/375