In the Volunteer section:
(Must be at least 18 years of age and not currently a high school student)
Basic Requirements:
- Must be able to offer a minimum of 60 volunteer hours each year.
- Must be able to commit to one three hour shift per month.
Year-round Application Process
Click here for an online application
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Submit an online application and pay the $10 application fee online with a credit or debit card.
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After your application submission, you will receive a response email. Please follow the directions provided within the email to complete the online orientation and schedule your training.
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While training in one area must be completed before you may become an official volunteer, we encourage you to sign up for training in multiple areas. Each training course is offered 4 times each year.
What to Bring to Your Orientation:
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$35 for the volunteer orientation and training fee (check or exact change only). This payment will help fund your background check, orientation packet, and continuous training courses.
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Upon completion of your orientation, you will receive one FREE official volunteer t-shirt. If you would like to purchase more t-shirts, please bring $10 for each additional purchase (check or exact change only).
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Your completed orientation packet (General Release Form, Understanding by Adult Volunteer, Adult Volunteer Arrest and Conviction Notification Agreement, and Background Check). Background checks will take one to two weeks to complete following your training.
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Your love for the Zoo and a big smile!
Adult Volunteer Opportunities
Adult volunteers may complete trainings to volunteer in as few or as many areas as they desire. Multiple trainings may be taken in one weekend, or a volunteer may begin with one area and take further trainings at a later date, if desired. In addition to the opportunities listed, each area will include an Interactive Learning Station, which will include information to share with the public and an activity visitors can take part in!
Trails of Africa – Trails of Africa is the Zoo’s newest exhibit, and continues to grow! This area includes the first ever Bull Elephant herd in an exhibit, as well as rhinos, giraffes, and more. There are a number of opportunities to educate the public about this area’s animals and related conservation issues. This area also includes the opportunity to help run the Zoo’s new Giraffe Feeding Station!
Children’s Zoo – This is one of the most interactive areas of the Zoo, with multiple opportunities to get “up close” with our animals. The Children’s Zoo includes a number of domesticated animals, as well as the Alabama Wilds trail, where visitors can view animals native to Alabama. Volunteers can also assist in the Contact Yard, guiding visitors in up close interactions with a number of the Zoo’s domesticated animals!
Predators – From Lions to African Wild Dogs to Sea Lions, and much more! Volunteers in this department will help educate visitors about these intriguing carnivores and the conservation issues that many of them face.
Birds – The Zoo has a wide variety of interesting bird species. Volunteers will help to educate visitors about the brightly colored flamingos, the impressive cassowary, and many more of the Zoo’s feathered inhabitants. Volunteers will also help keepers in the Lorikeet Aviary, where visitors can interact with and feed these fun, colorful birds!
Primates – This area includes both the Primate and Kangaroo Kountry exhibits. Volunteers help to educate visitors about the Zoo’s amazing primates and the conservation issues many of the species face. Volunteers may also help in the Kangaroo Kountry Exhibit, assisting keepers with the Wallaby Walkabout, where visitors encounter kangaroos and wallabies up-close.
Reptiles– From the Zoo’s wide array of intriguing snakes, to the awe-inspiring Komodo Dragon, this department is full of interesting and unique inhabitants. Zoo Volunteers will help educate the public on these often misunderstood animals.
Volunteers who complete trainings for one or more of the above areas may also help with:
Education – Zoo Volunteers assist with summer and school break camps, year-round classes, animal programs, and much more, educating and entertaining some of the tens of thousands of students who visit the Zoo annually.
Special Events – Boo at the Zoo, ZooLight Safari, and Party for the Planet are just a few of the incredibly fun special events at the Birmingham Zoo. Volunteers assist with planning, managing, and staffing the many aspects of the special events that occur throughout the year.
Operations – The Zoo needs volunteers to help run our gift shop, assist with our birthday parties, and to greet the approximately 500,000 visitors that walk through our gates each year.
Active volunteers may also qualify for even more exciting and engaging opportunities. Qualifying guidelines for the following opportunities will be provided during training:
Animal Handling – After 3 months and at least 48 hours of service, Volunteers in any of the areas above may qualify to attend Animal Handling Training. This series of courses will teach volunteers the skills needed to do educational animal presentations for the public, at camps and classes, and more!
Animal Husbandry – Volunteers willing to complete a 3-hour weekly shift for 3 months may qualify to fill an available Animal Husbandry position – helping prepare food and/or care for some of the Zoo’s animals. Departments that currently offer these opportunities include the Children’s Zoo, Animal Nutrition Center, and Africa Department.
Docent – After completing the trainings for all 6 areas, as well as the Leadership course, a volunteer may become a Docent. Docents will be able to complete certain more advanced tasks and may get first priority on a number of available volunteer positions. Some of the ways Docents currently contribute are: leading School Programs for visiting students, teaching pre-school classes, and leading trainings for new volunteers.
