FORT WAYNE – People who want to connect kids and animals, support family fun, and inspire concern about the natural world are invited to volunteer at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. A Volunteer Opportunity Fair will be from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Franke Park Pavilion No. 1 to share information about the zoo’s volunteer program. Current volunteers and zoo staff members will be available to answer questions during this open house-style event. Volunteer positions include guest service, education program support and zoo keeper aides. Anyone age 18 and older can apply to be an adult volunteer and attend training classes later this spring. Teens ages 13-17 can apply for the Z-Team Volunteer and Leadership Program, which has an application deadline of Feb. 28. All prospective volunteers may complete an application online at www.kidszoo.org “Volunteers play an important role in connecting our 500,000 annual guests to our animals,” explained Kathy Terlizzi, the zoo’s volunteer manager. Last year, nearly 400 volunteers donated more than 34,000 hours to the zoo. For more information about the Volunteer Opportunity Fair or the zoo’s volunteer programs, contact Kathy Terlizzi at 260-427-6828 or e-mail volunteer@kidszoo.org The zoo opens for the 2014 season April 26. The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is northeast Indiana’s largest tourist attraction, hosting more than 500,000 guests annually. The zoo was voted Indiana’s No. 1 “Gotta-Do Summer Attraction” and is consistently named one of the nation’s Top Ten Zoos for Kids by national media outlets. The zoo is a conservation leader, contributing more than $80,000 annually to local, regional and international efforts to protect wild animals and habitats, and participating in cooperative management programs for 15 endangered species. As a self-supporting facility, the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo receives no tax dollars for operations. The zoo’s operations are funded entirely by earned revenue and donations. The zoo opens for the 2014 season April 26. Admission is $14 for adults; $10.50 for seniors age 60 and older; and $9 for children ages 2-18. Babies age 1 and under and Zoo Society members are admitted free. The zoo is at 3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46808. The telephone number is 260-427-6800, fax is 260-427-6820 and the website is www.kidszoo.org
