- Visit
- Animals
- Events & Rentals
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ProgramsPrograms Learn at the Zoo with spring and summer camps, or bring the Zoo to you in your home or classroom!
- Field Trips Come explore wildlife in nature's own classroom
- Zoo Camps Year-round camps for spring, summer, fall and winter breaks
- Zoo Krewe Volunteer program for teens, with hands-on training
- Safari Night Learn about the Zoo's animals on an overnight adventure
- Zoo & Me Morning Animal encounters and art projects for 3 to 5 year-olds
- Zoo Mobile Bring the Zoo to your classroom with educational visits
- Project Ark STEM education programs for EBR school grades 1-5
- Virtual Programs Educational videos and resources for offsite learning
- Educator's Guide
- Silent Auction Requests For qualifying non-profit organizations
- Support
Support Get involved with the Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation by supporting the Zoo's major events, wildlife conservation efforts, volunteering, and more.- Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation 501(c)3 non-profit supporting the Zoo's major events
- Donate Make an immediate impact on the Zoo with a tax-deductible gift
- Amazon Wish List Purchase toys, treats and other fun items for animals
- Volunteering Fun, challenging, and rewarding opportunities
- Conservation Efforts Learn about the Zoo's conservation efforts and how you can help
- Sponsorship Current sponsor opportunities for the Zoo's programs & events
- Adopt an Animal Support BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo by "adopting an animal" at the zoo!
- About
Today's Hours 9:30am–5:00pm (Last Entry 4:00pm)
Volunteering
Volunteering at the Baton Rouge Zoo is a fun, challenging, and rewarding experience. Whether you're someone who loves gardening, working with animals, volunteering at community events there's something here for you!
Zoo Opportunities
Work directly with zookeepers and staff to perform routine duties that include cleaning, feeding, and enrichment. Volunteer work is done near animals but does not involve handling or training. Must be able to stand, climb, and bend for extended periods of time and must be able to lift 50 pounds. Must be able to work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. Animal Care/Department volunteers must be 18 years of age to be considered for a volunteer position and must complete an interview and training before beginning volunteer work.
Shifts for Animal Care/Department volunteers are a minimum of 4 hours per week and must be regular and consistent.
Shifts are available seven days a week 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Occasional 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. shifts subject to staff availability.
Placement is limited by department.
- Diet Kitchen – Volunteers assist in the preparation of diets for Zoo animals.
- Hoof Stock – Volunteers assist with raking yards, enrichment, and keeper chats.
- Birds – Volunteers assist with hosing, feed outs, perching, enrichment, and keeper chats.
- KidsZoo – Volunteers assist with raking, hosing, diet prep, projects, and running of the ducks.
Work alongside Education staff in animal care, diet preparation, enrichment, bio-fact carts, crafts, camps, animal encounters, and demonstrations. Education volunteers must be 18 years of age to be considered for a volunteer position and must complete an interview and training before beginning volunteer work.
Animal care shifts available seven days a week 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Additional shifts vary based on program and outreach schedules.
Assist our horticultural staff in maintaining Zoo grounds, so they stay healthy and beautiful. Must be comfortable being outdoors in all weather conditions.
Community Opportunities
Are you part of a club or organization that is interested in giving back to the community? Does your group have a passion for animal welfare or an interest in conservation? We are always looking to partner with local organizations that are eager to lend a hand and donate their time. Group volunteering is on an as-needed basis, with the busiest seasons typically being spring and fall. Work is done mainly outside, so bring your work gloves and boots! Tasks can range from trimming hedges to large-scale trash pickup to building enrichment items for animals. If you think the Zoo would be a good fit for your organization, please reach out to volunteers@brzoo.org to discuss opportunities.
Group volunteering opportunities are also available for large Zoo events like Zippity Zoo Fest and Boo at the Zoo. Events like these require hundreds of volunteers, so grab your group mates and come spend time at the zoo. Some of the many possible task assignments include stuffing candy bags, assisting with guest check-in, trash pickup, and directing guests. These are also great opportunities for high schoolers to complete service hours for school.
Orientation Dates
Please Note: You must complete the Volunteer Application and background check before you may register for orientation.
All new volunteers are required to attend orientation. Orientation is a great way for applicants to learn more about what a Zoo volunteer does, the onboarding process, opportunities available, and ask questions.
Orientations are held throughout the year.
Requirements
- Volunteer at least 50 hours per year
- Volunteer for two or more special events
- Consent to a background check
- Provide current proof of a negative TB test
- Pay a yearly $50 volunteer fee (paid after orientation). The fee covers materials, training, name tag, and volunteer polo.
- Successfully complete volunteer interview
How to Apply
To apply for volunteer opportunities at the Zoo today, please complete our online application or email lauren.stroupe@brzoo.org with any questions.
Looking for Teen Volunteer Opportunities?
We call our teen volunteers Zoo Krewe. Click here to learn about this exciting group and volunteer opportunities for teens.