MORE THAN JUST A JOB

PROPOSAL FOR THE ABQ BIOPARK ZOO

WHATS REALLY GOING ON AT THE ABQ BIOPARK ZOO?
When people think about a Zoo their thoughts generally fall towards exotic animals,
treats, and a great experience to treasure. This an appropriate example of what the
visitor population for the zoo expects. However, the focus of the news and reporters
needs to not only focus on the highlights of current events at the Zoo but the
devastation as well. In October of 2014 devastation hit the Zoo with the loss of an
incredible species of animal, a Tasmanian devil. At first glance Rick Janser, director
of the Bio Park, had stated at the time of the press release for the death of the
Tasmanian devil that, looking through the exhibit seeing if anywhere he may have
slipped on a ledge, a rock, or something and hit his head, (Burkhart). A week later
the press started going crazy when a piece of asphalt was seen in the enclosure and
jumped to conclusions rapidly claiming Jasper was murdered. At the time of the
incident I was doing work for my internship at the Zoo. When I arrived before the
press release went out the zookeeper community was entirely devastated by this
loss. There was not one department in the Zoo that felt a stab of pain inside their
chests from the ordeal. Two weeks later when I arrived again for my scheduled
hours, word had gotten around that APD was investigating a few zookeepers
themselves! Imagine the bad energy running throughout the staff. This brings me to
the topic I wish to discuss in and of itself. The proposal is a call to generate
influence and demand attention to the injustice put upon the employees of the Zoo.
Specifically centered on the Zookeepers (or keepers for short) in their low wages
and understaffing throughout the departments of the Zoo.
DOES MONEY MATTER?
In todays society notice on wage differentials is being examined, analyzed,
ostracized, and exemplified. From the glass ceiling to education wage discrimination
is a topic needed to be discussed and pertinent. Personally as a student pursuing a
career in the education field wages are not what they should be for educators of
today. They are just as worse for those following into the working field of animal
caretakers. Although it is not required by all locations, many zoological parks are
looking for those with experience and knowledge into the background they are
trying to work towards. Many of the keepers at the Albuquerque Zoo have their
Bachelors of Science degrees in Biology, or Zoology. Understanding that Education
is extremely valued in todays society we would find wages for those handling
dangerous and exotic animals higher than many. That is not the case. Keepers
dedicate their lives in caring for these magnificent creatures and on some occasions
risk their livelihood only to be payed minimum wage to $10.oo an hour. Keepers
usually have full time positions and are getting paid what would be considered
minimum wage in other locations around the metro area. I have seen some dear
friends, miss important events in their lives all because they had to work and take

that extra shift in order to pay bills. Keepers do not have Holidays off. The animals
need constant care, companionship, and attention every day. Turns are taken to
miss federal Holidays in order to care for these animals. Now is their dedication to
their job visible? Even in those conditions Keepers are payed the same wage per
hour. Temp keepers are given the lower wages and senior keepers are given the
higher wages. Now add in another factor. Temp keepers in each department are only
hired for two year contracts through the city and must then reapply for their current
position. That is if the keepers want to reapply for their position again. Which brings
the topic further into the current condition of the Zoo which is, understaffing.
DO I HAVE TO WORK TODAY?
Unemployment is still a problem today but is slowly being solved. However,
understaffing is relevant and apparent at the Zoo. The Zoo is separated into
departments. Each department has a specific amount of employees that need to be
in that area. Ever since I started volunteering at the Zoo my concept of how the Zoo
is run has changed. At first glance the Zoo seems to be maintained well. That is all
due to small amount of staff working from the time their shift begins to the very last
minute it ends. The education staff was always one of the first to leave every night
yet the staff parking lot was still full. Why? Keepers work until the last possible
minute. The only reason keepers rush to get their work done is from understaffing.
Bobby Tucker, a former temp keeper stated in an open letter to Mayor Richard Berry
that For years, you have SEVERELY understaffed the ZooInstead of having 4 or 5
people working with potentially dangerous gorillas and other apes, there would be 2
or 3 people working that area, perhaps supplemented with a person like me (a
temp). In this letter Tucker goes on to examine the understaffing conditions of the
Zoo. Furthering the point Tucker goes on to say you pay a private staffing agency
to only partly "fill in the gaps". Just before I decided to quit, a new policy "came
down from City Hall" that stated "management" could no longer perform "zookeeper
duties" (like feeding and cleaning), which meant that already understaffed
Zookeepers now had even less help. Some of them work "on their own", for days on
end without proper help, allowing the audience to understand the Mayor has the
authority to hire more personnel to aid the current employees but has chosen to
turn a blind eye. This turn of a blind eye causes current employees to work more for
less, making conditions difficult as the employee has to work from one department
to the next so that others have some aid in finishing their duties for just that one
day. Employees are entrusted with these animals wellbeing and may not succeed in
their goals all due to poor leadership, and understaffing (Bobby Tucker).
THE SOLUTION
Currently a solution that would solve this problem is for higher wages and
opportunities for those seeking employment in this field. This proposition may take
time but will be worth it in the end. The first step in attaining this goal to a current
solution is educating the public. Many still have this idea that the Zoo is a fun
relaxing place when those who work behind the scenes suffer. Bringing attention
to their conditions would persuade others to act in order to alleviate the injustice.

The proposal is not for money but a proposal for help. Employees are not able to
speak up towards the injustice in fear of losing a position that they value highly.
Therefore, help from the public is what is needed. Attention to the controversial
topic will hopefully bring about some change or at least rattle those who have the
power to change this. With that power from the public and the attention to the topic
in rattling those who are higher up. The Mayor will begin to make the changes
necessary that the keepers deserve.
CONCLUSION
Even if the mayor may only solve one problem it is a step in the right direction and
the rest will come with it. This will only be possible through the help of the public.
The public holds the power that could push this issue from behind the scenes and
into the light. Zookeepers need the support from their community. In helping their
cause you will help thousands more who may be suffering the same conditions in
other Zoos around the nation and even the world.