The Detroit Zoo is embarking on an ambitious undertaking - the opening of the largest penguin facility in the world! The Polk Penguin Conservation Center's 33,000-square-foot size will require a few extras hands and the Detroit Zoo needs volunteers, WHIO reports. Thus, the Detroit Zoo is launching an initiative where local Detroit natives, including adolescents, can get involved helping with the Detroit Zoo's various attractions.
Detroit residents 18 and older are required as regular volunteers. While teens between the ages of 15 to 17 years old can participate in the "Volunteen" program, which allows teenagers to apply to become a member of the Zoo Corps. These young volunteers would engage in fun activities with the zoo's guests in order to enhance their understanding of wildlife, according to MLive.com.
There are plenty of opportunities for animal lovers, both young and old, with exhibits like The Arctic Ring of Life, Australian Outback Adventure and Wildlife Interpretive Gallery looking for helpers. The only let down for prospective volunteers is they will not actually be allowed to feed or handle any animals.
Linda Denomme, the zoo's Volunteer Services Manager excitedly enthuses about the influx of coming volunteers, "Certainly everyone will be talking about the amazing Polk Penguin Conservation Center, but not all volunteers will be working there. From Bunnyville to Wild Lights, we expect to be busier than ever, and the anticipated increase in attendance this year and beyond makes all volunteer positions equally important," Denomme states.
The first volunteer orientation session of 2016 will take place at the Detroit Zoo's Ford Education Center on Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fox 2 reports.
Detroit residents looking for more information, are asked to visit www.detroitzoo.org and click on the "Volunteer" link under "Support" for descriptions of the Volunteer and Volunteen positions. Online applications are also found on the site. For any other questions, residents can call: (248) 541-5717 extension - 3802 or email: volunteer@detroitzoo.org.
