Peoria Zoo

The American Association of Zoo Keepers is a North American organization whose goal is to advance excellence in the animal keeping profession as well as increase communication between animal care professionals, support conservation projects and promote preservation of our natural resources and animal life. There are around 100 local AAZK chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

The Heart of Illinois Chapter of AAZK was formed in 2010 at the Peoria Zoo and is made up of interested keepers, volunteers and other zoo staff who support our main mission of raising money for animal conservation. We meet once a month (usually the first Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM at the zoo’s Wildlife Falls education room) to discuss our current and future fundraisers. Some of our current and ongoing fundraisers include “Race for Survival” and “Celebrate with a Gift” collection boxes in the Tropics Building at the zoo, regular staff bake sales, cook-offs and restaurant fundraisers, glow necklace sales at the Peoria Zoo’s Howl-Zoo-Ween and Wildlife Prairie Park’s Scary Park, and our annual Bowling for Rhinos event.