Location:
Taronga Zoo Sydney. Meet at the Institute of Science and Learning.
Keeper for a Day
Need to know
Time:
8:15am - 2:15pmAges:
12 - 17 yearsGroup size:
Up to 12 peopleCost:
$190 per child
Zoo Friends save 15%
About the program
Designed especially for curious and animal‑loving young adults aged 12–17, Taronga’s Cadet Keeper for a Day program is perfect for anyone dreaming of a future working with wildlife or for those who simply love animals big and small.
Led by Taronga’s expert keepers, cadets step behind-the-scenes to experience what it’s really like to care for incredible animals. From helping with daily feeding and habitat care to learning how Taronga protects wildlife for the future, participants get a true hands‑on taste of the life of a zookeeper and an unforgettable day with some incredible creatures.
What to expect
Meet our zookeepers and animal experts
Get hands-on with animal care and feeds
Create animal enrichment items
Experience up-close animal encounters
Behind-the-scene access to Taronga Zoo
What to bring
Cost
$190 per child:
Includes Zoo entry for child in the program, t-shirt, completion certificate, exclusive future pathways resources and discounts for youth volunteer programs such as Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) plus one (1) adult zoo admission on the date of child participating in the program.
Zoo Friends save 15%
*Must be a current Taronga Zoo Friend member. Discount not apply to gift vouchers.
Availability
| Only 12 spots available per day | |
| Saturday 19 September | Available |
| Tuesday 29 Septemeber | Fully Booked |
| Saturday 3 October | Available |
| Tuesday 6 October | Available |
| Saturday 24 October | Available |
| Saturday 7 November | Available |
| Saturday 28 November | Available |
Gift vouchers
Gift this experience to someone and give them the ultimate opportunity to experience a day in the life as a Zookeeper! Perfect for animal lovers and adventurers.
Gift vouchers can be purchased at any time and are valid for 3 years after purchase date.
How to redeem:
To redeem your gift voucher, please email [email protected] with your contact details, gift voucher reference number and preferred available date. The Keeper For a Day team will respond with a booking confirmation and program information.
Booking conditions
Please ensure you read and understand the conditions prior to booking. For more information please email [email protected]
Program sign-in commences at 8:15am
Program Duration: 8:15am - 2/2:15pm.
Program cost includes zoo entry for one (1) adult only on the date the child is participating on the Cadet Keeper program. This cannot be redeemed on any other date. Any additional adults will need to purchase an individual zoo entry ticket. Parents will be unable to accompany their children throughout the day.
Activities and schedules subject to change without notice. Cadet Keepers access the Zoo by foot therefore requires participants to have a moderate level of fitness and good mobility.
Based on safety considerations, all participants are required to have a good level of speaking and understanding English to participate in the program.
- Requires a moderate level of fitness and good mobility
- Based on safety considerations, all participants are required to have a good level of speaking and understanding English to participate in the program.
- Understanding that your child will be participating and interacting with other unvaccinated young people and guests throughout the day
- Is for children aged between 12 to 17 years of age
Is an all-weather experience and will ordinarily proceed in the event of inclement weather - May include entering an environment housing animals which involves a degree of unpredictability and therefore risk of injury occurring
- Is at my own risk and without any liability attached to the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, including any injury to the child/children or damage to their property
- Requires the child/children to take direction from Keeper for a Day Hosts regarding photographs and video taken on any device, and understand that some photos may be restricted from social media platforms
- Bookings are non-refundable but can be rescheduled or transferred in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of Taronga
Program activities and schedules are subject to change without notice - Taronga reserves the right to cancel the Cadet Keepers Program at any time due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or in the event of severe weather. In the unlikely event that this situation occurs, Taronga will contact me as soon as practicable to notify me and reschedule my booking
- Taronga cannot guarantee a nut-free environment (please contact us for further information)
- If the program participant has a known allergy that causes an anaphylactic reaction upon exposure to that allergen, that participant must disclose this information to Taronga prior to attending Keeper for a Day. The participant is required to supply and carry an EpiPen throughout the duration of the program. A medical action plan also needs to be provided to ensure Taronga staff have clear instructions in response management.
Note: One (1) adult zoo admission can only be redeemed on the date the child is participating on the Cadet Keepers program. This cannot be redeemed before or after this date.
Contact us
Call
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