In the About Us section:
AAZK’s National Mission Statement
AAZK Is a nonprofit (U.S. 501c3) volunteer organization made up of professional zoo keepers and other interested persons dedicated to professional animal care and conservation. AAZK’s mission is to provide a resource and a forum of continuing education for the animal care professional and to support zoo and aquarium personnel in their roles as animal care givers, scientific researchers, public educators and conservationists; to promote zoos and aquariums as cultural establishments dedicated to the enrichment of human and natural resources; to foster the exchange of research materials, enrichment options and husbandry information through publications and conferences which will lead to a greater understanding of the needs and the requirements of all animals.
Birmingham Chapter of AAZK Mission Statement
The Birmingham Chapter of the American Association of zookeepers strives towards providing continuing education, raising awareness for conservation, and fostering an appreciation for the animal care profession, while assisting the Birmingham Zoo in its mission.
Officers
President - Lindsey Bicksler
Vice President - Christine Hoskinson
Secretary- Carson Jones
Treasurer - Tyler Eads
Chapter Liason – Celeste Harris
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at aazk@birminghamzoo.com.
If you would like to send a donation to the Birmingham chapter of AAZK please mail to:
Birmingham Chapter AAZK
One Wild Place
Birmingham, AL 35223
Conservation
Recycling Electronics:
What can you do with your old cell phone? Help save gorillas by recycling your cell phone at the zoo! All you have to do is drop off your old cell phone at the entrance of the zoo, regardless of whether you decide to stay and visit that day or not. Members of the Birmingham Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) will do the dirty work of collecting all the phones and sending them to Eco-Cell to be recycled.
What can we recycle?
We currently recycle cell phones (including batteries and accessories), digital cameras, MP3 players, e-readers (such as Kindle), and handheld gaming systems (such as Nintendo DS). We are also looking into ways to recycle computers, movies and more, so be sure to check back!
How can you help?
Bring your cell phone or other electronics to the front gate of the zoo and place them in the Eco-Cell cart.
How does recycling a cell phone help gorillas?
1. Money made from turning in cell phones is donated to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (www.gorillafund.org). Founded in 1978, the DFGFI supports conservation of both gorillas and their habitat through research, anti-poaching, education, and support of local communities in Africa.
2. Reusing old cell phones reduces the amount of coltan being mined. Coltan, short for columbite-tantalite, is an ore that is commonly used in mobile phones, computers and other micro-electrical circuits. It is found in only a few places in the world, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (also known as home to gorillas) is one of them.
Why do gorillas need help?
Gorillas are considered critically endangered—there are only an estimated 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild, total! They are threatened by habitat destruction as a result of coltan mining and agriculture. Gorillas are also dwindling in numbers due to poaching, political unrest, and diseases that can spread from humans to gorillas.
What is Eco-Cell?
Eco-Cell (www.eco-cell.com) is an environmentally conscious company that focuses on recycling cell phones and other electronic products containing harmful materials. They have a strict “NO Landfill” policy and find a way to reuse a phone in parts if it is very outdated and unable to be recycled as is.
Environmentally-friendly Beauty Products:
Do you want soft, moisturized skin, but you are trying to be kind to the environment? Now you can have both! The Birmingham Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) is now selling organic, palm-oil free beauty products from Chandler Farm (www.chandlerfarm.com). Palm-oil free products are important. The destruction of rainforest for the development of palm-oil plantations is the number one threat to wild orangutans.
What products are available?
AAZK has the following products available for purchase:
Body Wash – $10
Body Lotion – $10
Body Butter – $12
Each is available in Cranberry Mandarin, Lavender, Coconut Banana, or Pomegranate. All products are organic and palm-oil free, which makes them orangutan-friendly. Feel free to check back, as Chandler Farm is in the process of developing a moisturizing lip balm with SPF! Contact the Birmingham Chapter of AAZK through email at aazk@birminghamzoo.com for information on purchasing Chandler Farm products.
Are there a lot of orangutans?
NO! Orangutans are a critically endangered species, and some experts estimate that they will be extinct in the wild in the next ten years. Orangutans only live on two islands in Southeast Asia—the island of Borneo and the island of Sumatra. In some areas up to 75% of their habitat is being destroyed. In addition to orangutans many other animals are in danger from this habitat destruction, including tigers, rhinoceroses, gibbons, and many more! For a detailed look at the situation wild orangutans face, visit http://greenfilm.free.fr/.
