Bay Area AAZK

The Bay Area AAZK Chapter holds numerous events throughout the year to promote communication and education among animal professionals, and raise money for conservation.

Hands-On Workshops

BAAAZK offers hands-on workshops throughout the year.  Past topics include Resume and Cover Letter Writing, AAZK Online, and Presentation Skills.  Workshop presenters do not need to be BAAAZK chapter members.

BAAAZKers learn about veterinary care in regard to captive wildlife at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.
Photo by Elena Seto

Bowling for Rhinos

This is national AAZK’s flagship fundraiser, with money going to support rhino conservation efforts in Africa and southeast Asia.  AAZK chapters across the U.S. hold their individual events in the early summer.  All money goes to in-situ conservation areas: Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya to aid the black and white rhino species; International Rhino Foundation to aid the Indian, Javan, and Sumatran rhino species throughout Indonesia; and since 2009 AAZK BFR has supported Action for Cheetahs in Kenya.  Please see AAZK’s Bowling for Rhinos page for more information.

At BAAAZK’s first-ever “Dodging for Rhinos” event, teams have plenty of spirit.

A rhino supporter displays his athleticism at “Dodging for Rhinos.”

The champion team shows off their winnings: golden dodgeballs that have rhinos printed on them!

National Zoo Keeper Appreciation Week

During the third week of July, keepers are celebrated!  Small fundraisers at individual institutions may also raise money for BAAAZK.  Please see AAZK’s National Zoo Keeper Appreciation Week page for more information.

CuriOdyssey’s Animal Keepers selling baked goods for Zoo Keeper Appreciation Week.

From the Heart

FTH is an annual fundraiser that supports local, national and international conservation organizations.  Posters describing deserving organizations are displayed at the event and the top two winners split all of the proceeds from the evening.  Winning organizations are determined by attendees, who are given voting tokens with admission.  This event features entertainment, food, drinks, silent auction, raffle, and costume contests with prizes.  Past winning organizations include:  Save the Frogs, Free the Bears, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation the California Condor Recovery Program, the Bay Area Puma Project and the Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital.

Sci-fi enthusiasts dance the night away at the 2013 FTH event at Oakland Zoo!

FTH attendees scan the silent auction tables.

Mini Conference

An annual conference that features 6 presentations at a BAAAZK chapter facility.  Presentations cover all aspects of animal husbandry and conservation.  You do not need to be a BAAAZK chapter member to present.  Past presenters include supervisors, keepers, volunteers and veterinarians from various zoos, and Norman Gershenz, Co-founder of SaveNature.Org.

A presentation at the 2013 Fall Mini Conference held at San Francisco Zoo.
Photo by Lisa Clifton-Bumpass

Additional Conservation Efforts

Each year, BAAAZK provides support to a conservation organization of your choice.  The organization is determined either by chapter officers or public vote.  Past winners of BAAAZK’s financial support include Chopsticks for Salamanders and The Mountain Lion Foundation.