ZSL Whipsnade Zoo celebrates Volunteers’ Week

Marking National Volunteers' Week, volunteers at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo will be treated to cake every day this week, and saluted for their extraordinary efforts at an honorary BBQ.

Almost 200 people currently volunteer at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, which is part of international science and conservation charity the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

Volunteers contribute to a range of activities, including helping visitors learn more about the Zoo's animals, assisting keepers, customer care, working with the veterinary team, and assisting with graphics and signage.

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo also works with the New Horizons project to give young adults with learning difficulties an opportunity to gain work experience. The Zoo even has a team of Horticulture Volunteers that work to protect and nourish a national Site of Special Scientific Interest within the Zoo's grounds.

General Manager of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Owen Craft, said: "We are so incredibly lucky to have this huge, wonderful team of volunteers here at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. In 2014, they contributed over 25,000 hours to the charity, which translates to a staggering amount of commitment, advocacy and enthusiasm.

"There are activities and events here at the Zoo that could not have happened without them – the DEADLY Trail and Summer Shows, Elephantastic, Stampede and Special Childrens' Day to name just a few.

"Our volunteers are so loyal and hard-working, and are committed to ZSL's charitable mission of worldwide animal conservation. Our longest serving volunteer has been part of the team here for 30 years, and our oldest volunteer is 88 years old. I'd like to thank all our volunteers for everything they do to raise money for ZSL's vital conservation projects across the globe, and all the ways they help our visitors discover a passion for wildlife."

-ENDS-

Editors' Notes

Media Information

For more information please contact Kate John

E: kate.john@zsl.org

T: 01582 871303

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Photographs, video or graphics distributed by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to support this media release may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the persons in the image, or facts mentioned in the media release or image caption. Reuse of the picture or video requires further permission from the press office of ZSL.

Volunteers' Week

Volunteers' Week is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes places from 1st – 7th June 2015.

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ZSL

Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity whose mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. Our mission is realised through our ground-breaking science, our active conservation projects in more than 50 countries and our two Zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. For more information visit www.zsl.or