Perth Zoo is looking to increase its numbers of a valuable species – Docents.
Docents are the friendly, outgoing Perth Zoo volunteers who staff the zoo’s information centre, and conduct walking and zebra car tours. They also interact with visitors and help with functions and events. Docent is derived from the Latin word docere, meaning to teach. The volunteers also help communicate the zoo’s conservation messages to more than 620,000 visitors each year. The zoo is undertaking its annual volunteer recruitment and is looking for friendly, outgoing people, aged 18 and over, who are good communicators and physically fit. Training co-ordinator Jenny Bryce says she is looking for reliable people who are able to volunteer at least one day a fortnight from 9am until 3pm. The Perth Zoo Docent Association has more than 300 members, many of whom are retirees. They provide around 45,000 hours of voluntary service each year. “People need to be aware that Docent duties are people oriented and do not involve physical contact with the animals,” Ms Bryce said. “However, there are a few special opportunities that Docents can sometimes have with animals, such as making and providing behavioural enrichment items to help keep the animals active and mentally stimulated.” Docent Association management committee president Rosemary Johnston says the best thing about her volunteering role is meeting people and being in the zoo’s wonderful surroundings. Rosemary has been a Docent for eight years and says that as well as learning about the animals she has made a lot of friends. “I’ve been coming to the zoo since I was a kid and have always enjoyed it,” she said. “Being in the zoo is like a holiday.” Rosemary conducts walking tours and is involved in behavioural enrichment, helping out at events such as the Teddy Bears Picnic. She also helps with termite harvesting. “We harvest the termites to feed the numbats,” she said. “Each breeding numbat requires 20,000 termites per day.” Anyone interested in learning how they can become a Docent can attend a free information session at Perth Zoo at 9.45am on May 1. “The session will enable interested applicants to learn more about the role and duties of Docents,” Ms Bryce said. “A free walking tour with one of our experienced docents is also provided as part of this information session. “Those who wish to proceed with their applications after this session will be interviewed and successful applicants will then be required to undertake a compulsory training course. “This intensive, but fun, training program is spread across 10 consecutive Saturdays from June to August and provides aspiring Docents with the information they need to help fulfil their primary objective – conservation education.” For applications and more information, phone 9474-0401 or visit www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/volunteering |
