AAZK serves as a focal point of current information and techniques available to the professional zookeeper. The field keeper is the frontline individual responsible for the daily care and feeding of animals. The role AAZK plays in today's modern zoos and aquariums is to educate the professional keeper and offer them a venue to exchange important information about their profession in the fields of animal husbandry, environmental enrichment, and reproductive success to name a few. Our local chapter at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has many active members from various departments of the zoo dedicated to improving the animals quality of life. AAZK provides funds for animal enrichment purposes.
Enrichment is very important in the care of animals.
It helps promote natural behaviors and a better quality of life for the animals by providing novelty, activity and interest in a variety of ways depending on the species. For example, AAZK helps provide paint for Lucky, our painting elephant. We also provide novelty foods to put into cannolis, a cardboard tube filled with treats. These are just a couple of examples of enrichment that AAZK provides for the animals. AAZK also plays a major role in conservation.