Hundreds of local school children visit the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo every year for field trips, witnessing the antics of the gibbons, the playfulness of the otters, the mystery of the kookaburra, and more. Behind the scenes, Santa Fe College students are caring for the animals, and preparing for careers that will take them all over the world.
The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is one of only two teaching zoos in the nation accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. The 10-acre facility is home to over 75 different species of animals, and is maintained by more than 200 students enrolled in the college’s Zoo Animal Technology Program.
Students in the program can earn their associate degree in zoo animal technology, the premiere wild animal technology program in the United States. Graduates of the program have been hired at zoos, aquariums and animal facilities all across the country.
For more information about the programs at the SF Teaching Zoo, visit sfcollege.edu/zoo.
Activities at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
In addition to regular visiting hours, the teaching zoo hosts a number of annual events including Zookeeper Day, Party for the Planet, World Oceans Day and the ever-popular Boo at the Zoo.
Boo at the Zoo is a Halloween tradition. Families visit the zoo and trick-or-treat in a safe environment. Admission to the event is a donation of canned goods, which are then donated to area charities. Last year, almost 6,000 cans were collected and distributed to people in the community.
The zoo is open to the public seven days a week (except certain holidays) from 9 a.m. until 2p.m. Admission is free for Santa Fe College students, faculty and staff. Visitors can view the exhibits themselves or have a guided tour. The zoo is also wheelchair accessible.