Do You Love Animals?
Hey Kids! Ever wondered what it would be like to be a zookeeper?
The Ballarat Wildlife Park’s ‘Junior Keeper Program’ is an incredible 3-hour experience hosted by some of the Wildlife Park’s experienced keepers, for children 6-15 years old.
The Junior Keepers will be introduced to various animals and learn fascinating facts about a range of different species.
From preparing food, to raking up roo poo, Junior Keepers will learn to work as a team and get a great incite in to what it takes to care for the animals.
All children will get to wear a Junior Keeper shirt for the day, meet, pat and hold a variety of animals and prepare food using animal recipe cards.
To remember the adventure, all children will receive a certificate of participation as well as have a group photo taken.
Book Online
Each session has 10 spots. Once you book and pay online, you will receive a ‘ticket’ with all relevant information.
April 2nd, 4th and 8th – SOLD OUT
April 11th – SOLD OUT
April 12th – BUY TICKETS
Don’t forget to come back after booking, to this page and fill in the participant form (below).
Participation details
AFTER booking and payment online is complete, we just need some details about our new Junior Keepers!
Program Information
The program runs form 9.30am til 12.30pm. On the day of your program, you will be greeted at the entrance by our Park ranger at 9.15am.
Our keeper will escort you to the Bushman’s Hut and brief you on the plan for your day. You will meet your fellow junior keepers and prepare for a fun and educational time together.
Before you participate
Participant information (including photo consent) must be completed at least 2 days prior to the program date.
This will need to be completed for each child if booking more than one into the program.
Dress code
Weather appropriate comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes/boots.
A junior keeper shirt will be provided to use on the day and returned to BWP staff at the conclusion of the program. This shirt can be worn over the top of a T-shirt or jumper
Parent information
Drop off time is 9.15am and pickup time no later than 12.45pm.
If parents and guardians would like to stay and enjoy the park, a discount of 20% will be available on the day of the program. (Maximum of 2 discounted tickets). Unfortunately, parents cannot participate or watch/join the program.
Child supervision
Our keepers hold a current working with children’s check and will offer your child care and support throughout their time with us. Our program is aimed at giving participants an interactive and educational day working alongside each other with the goal of inspiring your child to become future zookeepers.
Food and drink
Please bring a packed lunch and a drink bottle.
Food and drink breaks will be scheduled throughout and at the conclusion of our junior keeper program.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@wildlifepark.com.au
Education and Conservation
Education and conservation are at the heart of everything at the Ballarat Wildlife Park and caring for over 380 animals is a huge job! Teaching children what goes on at the park in an integrative, fun way gives the keepers an opportunity to share their love for animals but also raise awareness of our conservation efforts.
The park is proud to be involved in the collective efforts by zoos in endangered and threatened species long-term survival programs.
The Southern Koala, Tasmanian Devil, Sumatran Tiger, Goodfellows Tree Kangaroo, Komodo Dragon, Corroboree Frog, Broad Headed Snake, Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, Burmese Mountain Tortoise and the Manning’s River Turtle are all endangered or threatened.
“If the Junior Keeper program inspires children to get involved in conservation efforts or even become future volunteers or zookeepers, we would be so happy”
– Operations Manager, Jared Mulholand.
Work together as a team
From preparing food, to raking up roo poo, Junior Keepers will learn to work as a team and get a great incite in to what it takes to care for the animals.
Learn about animals
The Junior Keepers will be introduced to various animals and learn fascinating facts about a range of species
Prepare animal food
Learn what different species eat and help prepare food ready for our keepers to feed the animals
