Alan - Zoo Volunteer

Alan is finally back Volunteering at the Knoxville Zoo.

Photographs -

2007 September to December Photos

2008 February to April Photos

2008 May Photos

I started volunteering at the KZG in January 2002 and soon began working as an EKA (Elephant Keeper Assistant). I worked with Tonka, Mamie, Jana and Edie.   Due to a move to Wisconsin, I sadly left in October 2002.  I rejoined the KZG volunteer program in September 2007. I immediately began assisting with elephants – Jana, Ellie and Tonka. While I was gone there were big changes in the routines with the elephants. There is now a more hands on approach by the keepers which has resulted in the elephants being easier to manage and the elephants now have a more relaxed attitude.

As a volunteer Elephant Keeper Assistant I do not get to work directly with the elephants, but I am around them all day long. My main job is cleaning up the Elephant Barn and Yard. This is not a bad job as it may seem. Even though the average Tonka poo pile is 45 pounds, I don’t have to pick up the pile all at once. As a volunteer I was able to participate in the Artificial Insemination of Edie. Hopefully we will have a baby elephant around the first of 2010!

I typically work on Mondays from 8:00am to 4:30 pm.

Here is a list of some of the jobs I perform at the Elephant Barn -
    Loading wheel barrels with lots of soiled hay and poo
      Dumping wheel barrels into the back of pickup truck with dump bed
      Cleaning outside yards in warm weather
      Washing down the stalls (with a big hose)
      Cleaning the stall floors with soap and brushes
      Cleaning stall bars with soap and brushes
      Cleaning walkways and drainage grates
      Fetching hay and putting out for elephants
      Sorting vegetables and fruit donated by Kroger and Food City
      Hiding food for the elephant at feeding time (for enrichment)
      Helping to create enrichment items and placing in yard
      Handing items to keepers during Elephant procedures
      Talking to the Keepers about the elephants
      Talking to the Elephants about the Keepers
      Talking with Zoo guests about Elephants
      Taking pictures of the Elephants
      Watching elephants throughout the day (best part of the job)

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