Keeper for a Day

Keeper for a Day

A day in the life of a Zookeeper.

Experience a day in the life of a Zookeeper with our Keeper for a Day program.

About the program

This program will take you to places not seen by the general public and show you a whole new side to Taronga. As part of a small group of up to 6 people, you will be assigned to one of our experienced senior keepers, who will be your host for the day. Participants will get to go behind the scenes to meet the animals and be involved in tasks such as devising enrichment activities, food preparation and more*. 

Each day is different; you never know what you'll end up doing!

Time: 8.15am - 3.15pm

Meeting point: Meet your Keeper at 8.15 am at the back of the Institute of Science and Learning.

Cost

  • $370 - per adult
  • $296 - per adult for Zoo Friends annual members

 

Keeper for a Day - Bongo feeding
Keeper for a Day - Bongo feeding
Keeper for a Day - Nutrition
Keeper for a Day - Nutrition
Keeper for a Day
Keeper for a Day
Keeper for a Day
Keeper for a Day
Keeper for a Day - Tortious
Keeper for a Day - Tortious
Keeper for a Day - Seal encounter
Keeper for a Day - Seal encounter

What to bring

Keeper for a Day includes morning tea and your own 'Keeper for a Day' t-shirt. Lunch and afternoon tea is not supplied. Food can be purchased on the day but it is strongly recommended that guests bring their lunch to avoid lunchtime crowds. Appropriate food storage and refrigeration is provided.

Keeper for a Day participants should bring:

  • Comfortable clothing suitable for wearing outdoors, which may get dirty
  • Protective, closed footwear
  • Face Mask (this may be required for Animal Experiences)
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Weather appropriate clothing (rain jacket, hat, sunglasses etc.)
  • Camera

The Keeper for a Day program accesses the Zoo by foot therefore requires participants to have a moderate level of fitness and good mobility.  Keeper for a Day is also an all-weather experience so please come prepared for any inclement weather. Taronga reserves the right to cancel the Keeper for a Day Program at any time due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or in the event of severe weather. In the unlikely chance that this situation should occur, Taronga will contact you prior to your participation date. 

Available dates

6 people maximum per booking (NOTE: Availability is updated Monday to Friday)
Wednesday 20 March 20243 spaces available
Saturday 23 March 20241 space available
Wednesday 27 March 20242 spaces available
Saturday 30 March 2024Available
Wednesday 3 April 2024Available
Friday 5 April 2024Available
Wednesday 10 April 2024Available
Saturday 13 April 2024Available
Wednesday 17 April 2024Available
Wednesday 24 April 2024Available
Saturday 27 April 20243 spaces available
Wednesday 1 May 2024Available
Saturday 4 May 20243 spaces available
Wednesday 8 May 2024Available
Friday 10 May 2024Available
Wednesday 15 May 2024Available
Saturday 18 May 2024Available
Wednesday 22 May 2024Available
Saturday 25 May 2024Available
Wednesday 29 May 2024Available

 

Booking conditions

Please ensure to read the full conditions before making your booking.

Booking conditions

I understand, agree and accept that in participating in the Keeper For a Day Program I comply with the following:

  • The Keeper for a Day program requires a moderate level of fitness and good mobility
  • The Keeper for a Day program is an all-weather experience and will ordinarily proceed in the event of inclement weather
  • I may be entering an environment housing animals which involves a degree of unpredictability and therefore risk of serious injury occurring
  • my participation is at my own risk and without any liability attached to the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, including any injury to my person or damage to my property
  • I will take direction from my Keeper Host regarding photographs and video taken on any device, and understand that some photos may be restricted from social media platforms
  • I will take direction from my Keeper Host to comply with Taronga’s COVID-19 Safety Plan
  • I will not attend my scheduled program if I feel unwell or have flu like symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath) and acknowledge that I will be excluded from the program and Taronga Zoo if I attend when unwell or with flu like symptoms
  • 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 Keeper for a Day 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)
  • To redeem the Zoo Friends Keeper For a Day Discount, I must be a current Zoo Friend. This offer is non-transferrable. My membership number will be verified in the application process and if my membership does not exist or is expired, I will be charged the full price of $370 per person
  • Gift Vouchers expire within 3 years of the issue date. Both the receipt Number and recipient name need to be provided to redeem the voucher
  • 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 participation on the Keeper for a Day program.  The participant is required to carry their own EpiPen throughout the duration of the program and must feel confident administering that medical when required.  Taronga staff are not permitted to administer that medication on behalf of the participant, they are only able to assist in this situation.