MEET ME AT THE CORNER: INTERVIEW WITH A ZOOKEEPER

1. Vocabulary: habitat, species, endangered, extinct, conservation. Use each of these words in a meaningful sentence.
2. Describe the earliest known zoos. Where were they? What animals were in these zoos? Why do you think people started zoos?
3. Create a chart comparing and contrasting the following groups of animals: wild animals, zoo animals, domesticated animals, and pets.
4. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has a vision statement. What is it? Do you think this is a good vision statement for a zoo? Explain your answer.
5. Compare and contrast old zoos and modern zoos. Use a Venn diagram.
6. What is a conservation program and how does it work in zoos?
7. Do animals in zoos get bored? Make a list of activities that keep animals from being bored.
8. Explain why vultures are important to the environment.

Challenge: A. Visit a zoo in your area. Design a PLUS/MINUS chart. What does the zoo do well? How could the zoo improve?

B. Draw a map of a zoo you would create. Be sure to label all the areas.

C. Click on Other Fun Websites: Click on the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo link. Go to Kids Fun and click on Zoo Keeper Training. Fill out the application. Think about the skills rquired to be a zoo keeper. Would you want to be a zoo keeper? Support your answer.

D. Go to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo website and click on Animal Conservation. Read about one of the endangered animals (on the left side). Make a list of things you can do to help that animal.