Flushing, N.Y. – March 10, 2010 – The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo is looking for a few animal lovers to join its volunteer team. Becoming a volunteer with the zoo’s education department means teaching schoolchildren and zoo visitors about animals by giving guided tours, assisting with special programs and events, and participating in many other exciting and educational wildlife-themed activities.

Some exciting activities Queens Zoo volunteers will take part in include:

  • Teaching visitors about animals through chats at exhibit sites
  • Giving guided group tours of the zoo
  • Narrating sea lion feedings
  • Assisting instructors in the presentation of special programs

WCS Queens Zoo volunteers also get the opportunity to get involved in a variety of seasonal programs, including the annual Boo at the Zoo and Presents to the Animals events. Most importantly, becoming a volunteer means discovering the world of wildlife, the environment, and having fun while doing it.

Candidates must be at least 18 years or older, available for a multi-week training program, and able to commit at least four hours every other week. The next available training class will be April 1, 2010. Visit www.queenszoo.com to download an application or call directly at 718-271-7361 and speak to the Volunteer Coordinator for more information.

Contact:

Barbara Russo 212-439-6527, brusso@wcs.org                                                                                                                           

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo – Open every day of the year. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for seniors 65 and older, $3 for kids 3-12, free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10am to 5pm weekdays, and 10am – 5:30pm weekends, April through October, and 10am – 4:30pm daily, November through April.  The Queens Zoo is located at 53-51 111th Street in Flushing Meadow’s Corona Park in Queens. For further information, call 718-271-1500 or visit www.queenszoo.com.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide.  We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo.  Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony.  WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. www.wcs.org

Special Note to the Media: If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a web link where they can make donations in support of helping save wildlife and wild places, please direct them to: www.wcs.org/donation