Orientation for New Recruits Scheduled March 21

ROYAL OAK, Mich., March 6, 2009 – The Detroit Zoo is looking for volunteers who want to journey back in time to a land ruled by the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex when Dinosauria – an exhibit of 20 animatronic, life-like prehistoric creatures – opens in May 2009.  Volunteers will assist and educate Zoo visitors as they explore a lush, four-acre trail recreating prehistoric life. 

The Detroit Zoo begins the recruitment and training of volunteers early to ensure that they are in place for the busy summer season.  The first orientation session will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Zoo’s Ford Education Center.

In addition to Dinosauria volunteers, the Zoo is looking for enthusiastic, friendly and passionate individuals to lend a hand in the following areas:
• Arctic Ring of Life – Volunteers field questions about the seal and polar bear residents of the Zoo, share the animals’ rescue stories, and help organize the flow of visitors through the Frederick and Barbara Erb Polar Passage as they enjoy an overhead view of swimming polar bears and seals.
• Australian Outback Adventure – Volunteers assist with the flow of traffic and answer visitors’ questions as they walk along a pathway through the kangaroo and wallaby habitat.
• Gallery Guides – Volunteers greet and educate visitors as they enter the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden and Art Gallery located inside the award-winning Wildlife Interpretive Gallery. 
• Special Events – Volunteers assist the Zoo in facilitating its various events, from Bunnyville in April through Zoo Boo in October and all Wild Winter weekends.
• Zoo Ambassadors – Volunteers greet and welcome visitors as they enter the Zoo, helping them find facilities and animal habitats and sharing the news of the day regarding special events and activities. 
• Belle Isle Nature Zoo – Volunteers share information, answer visitors’ questions and assist with public feeding at the Deer Encounter, and also assist with special events. 

In 2008, 1,050 volunteers and docents contributed over 91,000 hours of service to the Detroit Zoo, representing $1.7 million in support.  “Volunteering at the Zoo is a perfect way to meet new people who share a love of animals.  It also offers the opportunity to build new skills, learn about this regional cultural gem and all the animals it houses and help the Zoo fulfill its mission of ‘Celebrating and Saving Wildlife’,” said Volunteer Services Manager Linda Denomme.

Many perks come with being a Zoo volunteer, including free admission to the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo, free parking, an annual volunteer appreciation party, discounts for Zoo gift shop and concession stand purchases, discounts on Zoo memberships, and opportunities to attend conferences and all-volunteer trips for continuing education.

No experience is necessary to become a Zoo volunteer; training will be provided. Volunteers do not handle or feed animals.  Both seasonal and year-round opportunities are available.  Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.  To become a Zoo volunteer, call (248) 541-5717 ext. 3802 or email volunteer@detroitzoo.org.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October.  Admission is $11 for adults 15 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 14; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Admission is free.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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