Not only is Zoo Miami the largest zoo in Florida, but it is also the fifth-largest zoo in America. Starting as Crandon Park Zoo in 1948, Zoo Miami soon developed, changing the 48-acre zoo to an almost 450-acre zoo. Unlike other animal attractions, Zoo Miami is home to various animals worldwide, because of its warm, humid climate. 

Zoo Miami is full of liveliness, whether through blooming colors, an entertaining audience, or the wide selection of animals from around the world you can see. This atmosphere can create a feeling of nostalgia, and a yearning to learn more about animals and their place of origin.

Good news for animal lovers, aspiring vets, zoo members, and more: Zoo Miami has a volunteer program that allows students to participate in zoo work and expand their knowledge. 

Newly introduced this year, Zoo Miami welcomes students from 20 local schools in Miami to volunteer and get involved in the My Zookeeper Program. They are looking to get about 500 students to participate in the program, as well as continue to grow the program and conservation efforts.

Zoo Miami’s vision is to provide these students with hands-on activities and allow them to expand their knowledge for future careers that could be involved in the zoo world. Not only this, but they also hope students take away conservation awareness and learn how to protect their surrounding environments. 

While they are trying to get students involved, Zoo Miami also aims to raise $100,000 to help conservation efforts. 

Zoo Miami does not take conservation lightly, as it is home to over 2,500 animals and 1,000 plant species. In the past, it has conducted research on certain endangered species, such as the American Flamingo and the Florida Bonneted Bat. Not only does it participate in saving species, but it also initiates programs to try to prevent further extinction. The Butterfly Bunker is a program they started to try to preserve the biodiversity of the species rather than leaving them further endangered.

Expanding conservation efforts for animals, Zoo Miami also puts conservation efforts toward its botanical gardens. The main goal of the My Zookeeper Program is to educate these new volunteers and teach them how to conserve all kinds of animals and plants to the best of their abilities.