Florida International Teaching Zoo, Inc.

The Florida International Teaching Zoo promotes public education through conservation and reproduction of endangered and rare animals. The staff offers distance learning programs in veterinary assistance, in-school webinars, zoo professional continuing education, zoo tours, DVD courses, and a professional zoo management training program. There are many obstacles to work with animals in a professional capacity. In the new computer and personal electronics age, the newer generations are far removed from the natural world. Outdoor activities are going down, restrictions on animal ownership is going up, and activist groups are attempting to outlaw pet ownership one species at a time. Home and land prices have continued to rise, so fewer people are able to own family farms and grow up with livestock. This was one of the main sources of zookeepers, people who have been around animals all their lives. Even with a bachelors degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, or Wildlife, hands on experience is still the absolute necessity for working with exotics. Our program allows people to gain that experience. We do not require additional core lessons that would duplicate those available at a university or community college, we focus on care and maintenance of exotic species. Combined with a formal education, this gives our graduates a step up in achieving their desired careers. Even without a degree, graduates are able to find positions working with animals. The guided tours by our students give the public a much more meaningful experience than larger facilities can offer. Larger zoos cannot offer the intimate interaction we can, and the public benefits from learning far more about the natural world.