Rowan Wild at Dan Nicholas park

Rowan Wild at Dan Nicholas park Rowan Wild is a small zoo with North Carolina native species, located at Dan Nicholas Park.

As zookeeper appreciation week is coming to an end, let’s not forget why we should thank a zookeeper. They are the ones ...
07/26/2026

As zookeeper appreciation week is coming to an end, let’s not forget why we should thank a zookeeper. They are the ones taking care of animals 🐾 in zoos, making sure they have proper daily care and enrichment. Each day can bring a new set of challenges, as animals will be animals 🐾. However getting to know each animal’s personality is what makes a zookeepers job so rewarding!

Thank you to the past zookeepers!
Thank you to the current zookeepers!
Thank you to future zookeepers who have an eagerness to learn!

Rowan Wild is a partner with Davidson-Davie Community College providing internships for the Zoo and Aquarium Science pro...
07/23/2026

Rowan Wild is a partner with Davidson-Davie Community College providing internships for the Zoo and Aquarium Science program. These internships allow hands-on experience for the students to gain valuable knowledge as a keeper. Not only do we have internships available, but we also offer various volunteer opportunities.

Today we ask our interns…

How did you become a zookeeper?
📍Taking classes currently at DDCC - intern Cheyenne
📍I have always liked animals 🐾 and I have always wanted to help them - intern Matthew

What is your favorite animal 🐾 at Rowan Wild and worldwide 🌎
📍Maximus (alligator) and the owls 🦉 – intern Cheyenne
📍Buzzy (black vulture) at Rowan Wild, worldwide: cassowaries - intern Matthew

Rowan Wild offers a variety of educational opportunities throughout the year. This not only includes day camps and anima...
07/22/2026

Rowan Wild offers a variety of educational opportunities throughout the year. This not only includes day camps and animal presentations here at Dan Nicholas Park. Our education team will also travel 🚗! For more information and how to request a program, please visit www.rowanwild.org/education

Today we ask our educators…

How would you describe your job to a kid?
📍I'm an Education Naturalist at the park. Which means my job is to teach people about wildlife 🐾 and the environment. This is done through summer camps and educational programs.- educator Ashleigh
📍Lots of p**p scooping, feeding animals 🐾, and talking to the public.- educator Amy

What are your hobbies?
📍Going on hikes with my husband and dog🐶; taking care of my sheep 🐑 ; reading 📖 ; needle point- educator Amy
📍Hiking, biking 🚴 , scuba diving, and hanging out with my dog 🐶 .-educator Ashleigh
📍I read 📖, watch TV/movies, travel ✈️, I also collect records and all things Pokémon.- keeper Diego

Rowan Wild keepers wear a lot of “hats” 🎩 from animal 🐾 care to lawn care. So we asked our keepers…What do you love the...
07/21/2026

Rowan Wild keepers wear a lot of “hats” 🎩 from animal 🐾 care to lawn care. So we asked our keepers…

What do you love the most about being a zookeeper?
📍Knowing that the animals 🐾 I care for are well loved 🥰, fed and living the best life we can give them. -keeper Julia📍Working with lots of different animals. 🐾 -keeper Rylee
📍I love being able to see and participate in the conservation of animals 🐾 that have dwindling numbers in the wild! - keeper/ aquarist Hannah
📍I love being able to care for and learn about our resident animals 🐾, as well as educate people about the many native species found right here in North Carolina. -keeper Baydn

We also asked…

What is your favorite animal 🐾 at Rowan Wild and worldwide 🌎?📍Rowan Wild: Sam (Donkey) 🫏 - keeper Kenny
📍Rowan Wild: Buzzy (vulture), worldwide: giraffe 🦒- keeper Grace
📍worldwide: wombats or Tasmanian devils - keeper Connor

What is your favorite animal 🐾 joke? 🤭
📍Did you see 👀 the guy walking the clam? I'm more concerned that he'll pull a muscle💪
- keeper Diego

What is this week? Why should you care? Each year during the 3rd week of July, zoos nationwide 🌎 celebrate Zookeeper a...
07/20/2026

What is this week? Why should you care?

Each year during the 3rd week of July, zoos nationwide 🌎 celebrate Zookeeper appreciation week!
Here at Rowan Wild we asked our team questions about being a zookeeper, keep an eye 👀 out for some of their responses!

Let's start off by asking, "What is a Zookeeper”?
zoo-keep-er: one who maintains or cares for animals🐾 in a zoo (Websters 📖 definition)

Why should you care?
Zookeepers are dedicated to caring for zoo animals🐾 all year long, 7 days a week, 365 days a year 📆. Zookeepers here care for the animals🐾 in all weather conditions , from sunshine☀️, to rain 🌧, to random NC snowstorms ❄!

Here at Rowan Wild, not only do we take care of the animals 🐾 but there are also numerous daily tasks, such as mowing , w**d eating, changing trash 🗑, cleaning bathrooms 🚽, hosting day camps, presenting animal programs and more. Sometimes keepers can wear many “hats” 🎩 throughout their day. When you stop by Rowan Wild, you may see 👀 a keeper out in multiple areas!

🙏 Make sure to thank a Keeper this week! 🙏

Welcome American black bears 🐻 Pebbles & Bam Bam. These 9yr old brothers recently arrived from Arkansas and have been en...
06/12/2026

Welcome American black bears 🐻 Pebbles & Bam Bam.
These 9yr old brothers recently arrived from Arkansas and have been enjoying lots of swimming and exploring their new home.
Stop by Dan Nicholas Park this weekend during Amerifest 🇺🇸 to see the bears along with other North Carolina species.

03/17/2026

Attractions open this week!!!!! Come see us 😁

Join Rowan Wild for a fun-filled summer with Animal Adventures, Critter or Zoo Keeper Camp! Registration opens March 16...
03/01/2026

Join Rowan Wild for a fun-filled summer with Animal Adventures, Critter or Zoo Keeper Camp!
Registration opens March 16, 2026

Address

6800 Bringle Ferry Road
Salisbury, NC
28146

Telephone

(704) 216-7819

Website

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