Help Inspire the Next Generation

Have you ever dreamed of working with animals at the El Paso Zoo? Here’s your opportunity to get involved, make new friends, and help inspire people of all ages to care about wildlife.

When I first started working at the El Paso Zoo in 2002, one of the things that impressed me most was our incredible team of volunteers. Many were retired El Paso residents who loved animals, enjoyed meeting people, and wanted to make a difference in their community. Before I arrived, these dedicated volunteers had played a major role in helping operate the Zoo’s education programs, working alongside staff responsible for educational graphics and caring for our education animal collection. They were an extraordinary group of people, and I have never forgotten how much they contributed to the Zoo.

Today, I would love to see us rebuild that same spirit of volunteerism, especially among people interested in becoming trained education animal handlers.

What Is an Education Animal Handler?

At the El Paso Zoo, we care for two general groups of animals. Many live in exhibits where visitors can observe them, while others are cared for behind the scenes as part of our education animal collection. These education animals help us introduce children and adults to wildlife in a very personal and memorable way. Our collection includes small mammals such as chinchillas, rabbits, and armadillos, along with reptiles such as turtles, snakes, and lizards.

Trained volunteer animal handlers help our education specialists introduce these animals to visitors during special wildlife encounters outside the Discovery Center, or indoors when the weather does not cooperate. We are also hoping to involve more volunteers in our school outreach programs, where they could assist our education specialists in presenting exciting wildlife education experiences to students throughout El Paso. And here’s something important to know: You don’t have to be comfortable handling every animal. Volunteers are trained and evaluated to work with animals they feel comfortable handling and are qualified to present.

Your First Step: Become an Exhibit Host

Becoming an animal handler requires dedication, training, and a demonstrated commitment to the Zoo. Before being considered for animal handling training, volunteers must complete at least 50 hours of volunteer service. This helps us get to know you and gives you an opportunity to demonstrate that you are dependable and committed. One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to begin is by becoming an exhibit host.

It’s really quite simple. Pick an animal at the Zoo that interests you. Let us know when you would like to volunteer, and we’ll help you learn some basic information about that animal and its conservation story. Then, when visitors stop by the exhibit, you can help them better understand what they are seeing. You don’t have to be a wildlife expert. If you enjoy talking with people, are curious about animals, and want to learn, you already have some of the most important qualities needed to become a successful exhibit host. Imagine spending a morning near your favorite animal exhibit, helping a family discover something amazing about wildlife that they never knew before. That’s what Zoo Education is all about!

How Do You Become an Animal Handler?

Once you have completed at least 50 hours of volunteer service, you can express your interest in joining our education animal handling team. Animal handling requires additional training, practice, and testing to make sure volunteers understand how to safely and properly handle the animals. Volunteers must also meet applicable health and safety requirements, which may include tuberculosis testing and other qualifications. When the next animal handling training opportunity becomes available, qualified volunteers may be invited to participate.

We take these requirements seriously because the welfare of our animals, the safety of our volunteers, and the quality of our education programs are extremely important. But don’t let the training requirements discourage you. With dedication and a willingness to learn, working with education animals can become one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences imaginable.

Retired? We Especially Need You!

One of my greatest hopes is to encourage more retired residents of El Paso to become Zoo volunteers. Many retirees have the time, life experience, patience, and dedication that make outstanding volunteers. When I think back to the remarkable volunteer team I worked with in 2002, I remember people who were not simply helping the Zoo for a few hours. They became part of our Zoo family. They made friends, learned new things, shared their knowledge, and helped thousands of visitors develop a greater appreciation for wildlife. We would love to build that kind of team again. Of course, you don’t have to be retired to volunteer. We welcome people from all walks of life who are willing to make a commitment and become part of something special.

Exciting New Education Programs Are Coming!

We are also looking forward to launching an exciting new Zoo Education outreach initiative next year. Our goal is to bring more wildlife education experiences to schools and communities throughout El Paso, reaching people who may not otherwise have an opportunity to participate in our Zoo programs. Dedicated volunteers could play an important role in helping us make this vision a reality. Watch our social media pages and Zoo Education updates for more information as these plans develop.

Ready to Get Started?

Your first step is to visit the City of El Paso’s website and apply to become a Zoo volunteer. After completing the application process and successfully passing the required background check, the Zoo’s volunteer program can contact you about orientation and available opportunities. You can begin by helping as an exhibit host or in another area of the Zoo that interests you. And after completing your first 50 hours, you can let our volunteer program know that you would like to be considered for education animal handling training.

You don’t have to be an expert in wildlife to make a difference. You just have to care enough to get involved. When I look back at the volunteers who helped make the El Paso Zoo such a special place more than 20 years ago, I am reminded of the incredible impact ordinary people can have when they give their time to something they believe in. Perhaps you could be part of the next generation of dedicated Zoo volunteers. And perhaps, one day, you’ll be the person holding an armadillo or introducing a child to a snake for the very first time, helping spark a lifelong interest in wildlife conservation.

The animals need dedicated advocates. Our visitors need inspiring experiences. And we’d love to have you on our team.

Rick LoBello
Education and Conservation Curator
El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens