AAZK Chapter

The Elmwood Park Zoo chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) is a non-profit volunteer organization made up of zoo professionals dedicated to quality animal care and conservation.

From the American Association of Zoo Keepers website: “The mission of The American Association of Zoo Keepers is to advance excellence in the animal keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life.”

The Elmwood Park Zoo chapter supports this mission by encouraging its keepers and other local zookeepers to be active members of AAZK and foster their professional development. AAZK members are constantly on the lookout for new practices and ideas that make them better keepers and stewards of the natural world. Through excellent care, enrichment, and training practices AAZK members endeavor to provide healthier, happier and more comfortable lives for Elmwood Park Zoo animals. They also focus on education and fundraising initiatives for conservation programs that aim to inspire people to sustain wild ecosystems.

Contact Us

AAZK is not just for keepers! It’s for anyone interested in the care of animals, captive or wild. If you are interested in becoming a member or would like to know more about the Chapter, please contact them via email. You can also visit the American Association of Zoo Keepers website at aazk.org or follow us on Facebook!

Elmwood Park Zoo 2023 AAZK Board of Directors

Laura Soder

President

Lexi Eging

Vice President

Tara Zarzecki

Secretary

Jamie Sheard

Treasurer