Tampa Bay AAZK

Tampa Bay AAZK Tampa BAY AAZK is the local chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers for Hillsborough, Pinellas and surrounding counties in Florida.

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AAZK’s purpose is to foster a professional attitude in animal keepers and aquarists by encouraging them to become active members of professional teams at today’s zoos and aquariums. AAZK supports the promotion and implementation of zookeeper education and strives to make the general public aware of our concern for all deserving conservation projects and the need for the preservation of our natural resources and the species that depend on those resources.

As most of you have guessed… it was a Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec! Bonus points if you knew it was Kintana 😉Join u...
09/03/2025

As most of you have guessed… it was a Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec!

Bonus points if you knew it was Kintana 😉

Join us next week for another What’s that Wednesday?

Want your photo to be included?
Send us a DM!

Any animal enrichment device, or audio clip that you think would be a fun challenge for our chapter!

Welcome to our first What’s that Wednesday?Below is a SUPER zoomed in picture of an animal. In the comments put your gue...
09/03/2025

Welcome to our first What’s that Wednesday?

Below is a SUPER zoomed in picture of an animal. In the comments put your guess as to what animal you think this may be! The answer will be revealed at 5:00pm!

If you would like your picture to be included in “What’s that Wednesday?” send us a DM!

Hello! With September among us here is the current animal/environmental holidays for the month. Please feel free to DM u...
09/03/2025

Hello! With September among us here is the current animal/environmental holidays for the month. Please feel free to DM us any of your leadership approved pictures or send them to our email!

[email protected]

Please include what holiday you are submitting for, species name and who we can give credit to!

Happy World Painted Dog Day! Today we celebrate the African wild dogs, also known as painted dogs! They are known for th...
08/26/2025

Happy World Painted Dog Day!

Today we celebrate the African wild dogs, also known as painted dogs! They are known for their beautiful patchy coats and strong family bonds. They are one of the most successful hunters in Africa with success rates reaching up to 90%. They are pack hunters and ensure that everyone is fed, from the elders to the sick and the pups as well. Sadly, they are endangered with fewer than 6,000 left in the wild due to habitat loss, conflict with humans, and disease.

How can you help painted dogs?
• Support facilities working with the Species Survival Plan for painted dogs (Like ZooTampa!)
• Spread awareness about these amazing canines
• Help protect habitats and wildlife corridors

📸:
Danielle Kaplan
Hailey Dold
Michael Cunningham

Happy International Orangutan Day!Today we celebrate these amazing red heads! Often known as the “gardeners of the fores...
08/19/2025

Happy International Orangutan Day!

Today we celebrate these amazing red heads! Often known as the “gardeners of the forest,” orangutans play a big role in keeping rainforests healthy by spreading seeds as they travel through the treetops. Being the only great ape found outside of Africa, orangutans are only found in Borneo and Sumatra (islands off the coast of Asia.) These incredible apes spend most of their lives climbing, foraging, and building fresh nests each night. Sadly, all three species are endangered due to deforestation, palm oil production, and the illegal wildlife trade.

How can you help orangutans?
• Choose products with sustainable palm oil
• Support habitat protection programs
• Speak up against the illegal wildlife trade

📸:
Hailey Dold
Michael Cunningham
Justin Gay
robledostudios

Check out this webinar today at 1pm EST!
08/15/2025

Check out this webinar today at 1pm EST!

There’s never a dull moment working with 300 chimpanzees. In honor of Chimp Haven’s 30th anniversary, join Animal Care Coordinator Camilla Wilkey for a lighthearted look back at some of the care team’s wins, funniest “fails,” lessons learned, and works in progress at Chimp Haven.

Friday, August 15, noon CT/10 a.m. PT

Register here:
https://bit.ly/45BsAi7

Happy International Lizard Day!Today we celebrate these amazing scaly animals. Ranging from speedy geckos, to sun-loving...
08/14/2025

Happy International Lizard Day!

Today we celebrate these amazing scaly animals. Ranging from speedy geckos, to sun-loving iguanas, lizards are an incredibly diverse group of reptiles found all over the world. They play important roles in their ecosystems by helping control insect populations, serving as prey for other animals, and even aiding in seed dispersal! With over 6,000 species, lizards come in all shapes, sizes, and colors each perfectly adapted to their environment.

How can you help lizards?
• Protect natural habitats from destruction
• Avoid using harmful pesticides in your yard
• Promote responsible pet ownership

📸:
Justin Gay
Trey Embry
robledostudios

in our orange era 🧡 📸:Hailey DoldAliyah WinogradMelissa GordonMichael CunninghamJustin Gay
08/13/2025

in our orange era 🧡

📸:
Hailey Dold
Aliyah Winograd
Melissa Gordon
Michael Cunningham
Justin Gay

Happy World Elephant Day!With their giant ears, powerful trunks, and big personalities, elephants are truly a staple in ...
08/12/2025

Happy World Elephant Day!

With their giant ears, powerful trunks, and big personalities, elephants are truly a staple in the animal kingdom! These gentle giants are nature’s landscapers. From digging water holes, planting trees through seed dispersal, and creating paths other animals use, they, are truly a keystone species. Unfortunately they need our help, as habitat loss, human conflict, and ivory poaching still threaten their future.

How can you help elephants?
• Back anti-poaching programs
• Pick ethical wildlife tourism (no elephant rides!)
• Speak up against the ivory trade

📸:
Danielle Kaplan
Hailey Dold
Michael Cunningham

Address

3605 Bougainvillea Avenue
Tampa, FL
33612

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What is Tampa Bay AAZK?

Do you like animals? Do you want to support deserving conservation projects? Do you live in the Tampa Bay area or very close to it? Well, Tampa Bay AAZK is the group for you. Whether you are a full-fledged member or just a friend of the chapter, we are happy to have you here with us. We’re not just for zookeepers! Stay up to date with all that’s happening with our chapter and other interesting things here at this page or at our website - www.tampabayaazk.com. AAZK’s purpose is to foster a professional attitude in animal keepers and aquarists by encouraging them to become active members of professional teams at today’s zoos and aquariums. AAZK supports the promotion and implementation of zookeeper education and strives to make the general public aware of our concern for all deserving conservation projects and the need for the preservation of our natural resources and the species that depend on those resources.