Each year Zoos SA accepts students in year 11 and 12 to do a week of work experience with animal keepers. The work that students undertake to assist keepers include:

• Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
• Preparing food and feeding animals
• Observing animals.

As demand for this program is great, students are required to apply for these positions during February. At each school the Work Experience Coordinator will receive information at the start of the school year to help interested students to write suitable applications.
 
Successful students will be rostered on throughout the school year.
 
Students may apply to do Work Experience in one of three situations:

1. In 5 rounds at Adelaide Zoo (a different one each day)
2. With one or two keepers at Monarto Zoo
3. In the Children’s Zoo at Adelaide Zoo

Students can give preferences with their applications in cases where they are interested in more than one of these options.
 
Note: Transport and accommodation is the responsibility of the student. This could be especially relevant to students applying to work at Monarto.
 
As hundreds of students apply for these positions, many will be unsuccessful. Students with extensive previous experience in animal husbandry are given preference. This could include previous experience in pet shops, vet clinics, Fauna Rescue, animal sanctuaries, farm work, school Agriculture courses, breeding animals (eg. Birds, dogs) for sale etc.
 
The 2008 Work Experience Program is fully booked.  Interested students undertaking Year 11 and 12 next year should contact their Work Experience coordinator at the start of the 2009 school year for application information.