Buffalo Zoo Celebrates “Ape-ril” on April 2, 2011

Go bananas over the Buffalo Zoo’s Western lowland gorilla troop during the Ape-ril Event, which is being held on April 2 from 10:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.!

The event is free with Zoo admission. Highlights of the event include keeper talks, enrichment activities and raffles. Proceeds from the raffles will benefit the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), which helps to promote gorilla conservation. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about the distinct personalities of each of the Zoo’s five gorillas: male, Koga, and females, Becky, Lily, Sidney and baby Amari.

Visitors who donate old cell phones at the front gate during this event will also receive $1 off regular Zoo admission per cell phone. The cell phones will be collected through the Eco-Cell program. Designed to gather unused cell phones for refurbishment and recycling purposes, the program also helps wildlife in the Congo. Columbite-tantalite (coltan), a metallic ore found in the region, is used in cell phones and other electronic devices. Illegal mining for the ore is occurring in protected areas, and miners are overrunning national parks while also hunting the parks’ endangered elephants and gorillas for food. In addition to protecting these animals, the program also benefits the Buffalo Zoo. Eco-Cell pays the Zoo up to $15 per working digital phone, and this money is added to the Zoo’s Cars for Conservation fund, which helps to support conservation projects worldwide.

The event schedule is as follows:

10:30 a.m. – Crafts and raffles

3:15 p.m. (Raffle tickets are 2 for $1 or 5 for $2.)

10:30 a.m. Gorilla feeding

11:00 a.m. Gorilla keeper talk and enrichment

12:00 p.m. Gorilla feeding

1:00 p.m. Gorilla keeper talk and enrichment

2:00 p.m. Gorilla feeding

3:00 p.m. Gorilla keeper talk

3:15 p.m. Raffle drawing closes; winners announced

(You do not have to be present to win.)

For more information about the Zoo’s Ape-ril event, please call (716) 995-6133 or visit www.buffalozoo.org.

Spring Nature Camp at the Buffalo Zoo

April 18 -22, 2011

Spring Nature Camp at the Buffalo Zoo

It’s time for Spring Nature Camp at the Buffalo Zoo! Join us as we celebrate the season along with our animal friends. Each day of Spring Nature Camp is filled with adventures, including arts and crafts, live animal demonstrations, exhibit visits, behind the scenes talks and much more! Spend just one day with us at the Zoo or all five—either way, you’ll have a ROARing good time!

Workshops run from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Prices are $35 per day or $155 for the week for non-Zoo members. Prices for members start at $32 per day with an increase in savings with each additional day. The Zoo also offers a fee-based before and after care program.

The workshop schedule is as follows:

Monday, April 18: Happenin’ Hooves

Tuesday, April 19: Birds of a Feather

Wednesday, April 20: H2O Adventure

Thursday, April 21: Can You Dig It?

Friday, April 22: Earth Day Party!

For more information, please call (716) 995-6128 or visit www.buffalozoo.org.

Join the Zoo staff!

Seasonal Part Time Job opportunities The Buffalo Zoo invites you to apply for the following seasonal part-time job opportunities
Guest Service Associate (Admissions/Membership Sales/Ride Operations) Individuals must be personable, outgoing and demonstrate initiative. Individuals will be responsible for directing and processing guests through entrances in a safe and efficient manner, providing exceptional customer service and friendly sales assistance, acting as a host/hostess for ride operations while maintaining the safety and the well being of the visitors. Individuals will be responsible for providing information and insight into the advantages of becoming a Zoo member, as well as process new membership packages via computer. Familiarity with cash handling procedures & computer capabilities preferred. Guest Service Associate (Concessions/Food Service) Individuals will be responsible for assisting visitors with food orders in a friendly, efficient manner, minor preparation of food orders, maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the work area and patio/picnic area, and for providing exceptional customer service at all times. Individuals must be personable, outgoing and demonstrate initiative. Familiarity with cash handling procedures preferred. Peak season hours will range from 20-25 hours. Gift Shop The Buffalo Zoo does not operate or hire for the Gift Shop. SSA manages all three gift shops and should be contacted directly for applications and hiring status 716-837-3900 Ext 110. Groundskeepers Individuals will assist in the maintenance of clean, attractive, well-groomed grounds and buildings. Individuals will be handling various garden tools and equipment in the planting and caring of gardens and horticultural exhibits as well as be responsible for general litter and refuse disposal in and around buildings and walkways. Individuals must be 18 years of age and experience with garden equipment is preferred. Position will work 37-1/2 hours per week during peak season. Education Assistants Twelve individuals will be rotating through a variety of locations in the Zoo to assist patrons in the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm animal contact pens, the free-flighted bird aviary called “Lorikeet Landing”, the mock paleontological dig site called “Bone Zone” and the farm-themed playground. Assistants will work approximately 22-30 hrs/wk. Must be available holidays and weekends as required. Excellent customer service skills and some knowledge of animals required. Summer Nature Camp Assistants – paid internship Seven adult individuals will be required to supervise groups of campers during the Zoo’s six-week summer day camp. Individuals will be responsible for overseeing the fun, safety, and well-being of campers. Summer Nature Camp runs from July 5 – August 19, Mon. – Fri. Individuals must possess an enthusiastic outlook and upbeat, fun-loving personality. College students majoring in Education, Biology or related fields are encouraged to apply for this paid internship experience. Experience with children and classroom/group management is required. Peak Season: Ability to work 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Every employee plays an important role in the success of the Buffalo Zoo. Due to the public demand for the services we provide, it is required that you are available for work on holidays and weekends, which are the busiest days for the Zoo. Because of the nature of this work, it may be necessary to cancel part or even the entire day’s work due to inclement weather or other adverse conditions. Hourly Rate: $7.15 Positions which have specific educational or skill requirements will be paid at a higher starting rate. Training will be provided for all positions and will begin during March, April and May (weekends) with peak hours beginning during the month of June. To Apply: All completed applications may be forwarded to: The Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214, Att: Human Resources or submitted directly to the Buffalo Zoo’s Parkside Gate. An EOE.

Breakfast With the Easter Bunny

April 16, 17, & 23

Join us for a delicious brunch catered by CJ's Catering, face painting, docents on hand with animals and, of course, a visit with the Easter Bunny! Two seatings will be held each day at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and pre-paid, non-refundable tickets are required due to limited seating. The prices for non-members are $14 for adults and $12 for children. Members will receive a $3 discount per ticket. Children under 24 months will be admitted for free. For more information or to make reservations, please call (716) 995-6133 or Click Here for Tickets

Ape-ril!

On April 2nd, come meet our gorillas (including the new baby!), and learn what makes each one of them unique! The day's activities include keeper talks, enrichment and crafts. Since recycling cell phones benefits gorillas in the Congo by decreasing the demand for coltan mining, each visitor who donates an old cell phone will receive a $1 discount off regular Zoo admission per phone. For more information, please call (716) 995-6133.

The 2011 Paw of Approval Award

The 2011 Paw of Approval Award

If you know of a local business that has significantly reduced its energy consumption, then we want to hear about it!

The Buffalo Zoo, in conjunction with Polar Bears International (PBI), is looking to recognize businesses that are reducing their carbon footprint by advancing in electricity and heating conservation.

Lowering the amount of greenhouse emissions can slow or reverse the climate changes which cause sea ice to melt. This is important for polar bears as they need the sea ice for hunting.

On April 27, the Buffalo Zoo and the Polar Bears International President, Robert Buchanan, will present the 2011 Paw of Approval Award to the first prize winner. Second and third prizes will also be awarded.

In order to apply for this award, businesses must be able to show that they have reduced their energy consumption over the past 12 to 36 months. (See application for details.)

All nominations must be received no later than April 1, 2011 for consideration.

For more information, please contact Tiffany Vanderwerf, the Buffalo Zoo’s Curator of Education, at (716) 995-6138 or tvanderwerf@buffalozoo.org. You may also contact Jennifer Fields, the Zoo’s Public Relations Coordinator, at (716) 995-6129 or jfields@buffalozoo.org.

To nominate your company or another business, please click here.