VICTOR HARBOR ZOO FIELD GUIDE
Behind the Gates: Be a Junior Wildlife Keeper at Urimbirra
A 2.5-hour, hands-on morning program for ages 5–16 that puts young animal lovers behind the scenes feeding, cleaning and creating enrichment at Urimbirra Wildlife Park.
Behind the Gates: Be a Junior Wildlife Keeper at Urimbirra.
Set at Urimbirra Wildlife Park in Victor Harbor, the Junior Wildlife Keeper program is a focused, morning-long immersion that gives children a real sense of what it takes to care for captive wildlife—feeding, cleaning, preparing enrichment and assisting with monitoring and research—delivered as a changing slate of keeper duties that varies day to day.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Real Keeper Tasks
Participants perform authentic keeper duties: feeding animals, cleaning enclosures and preparing daily care tasks that give a practical insight into animal husbandry.
Back-of-House Access
The program goes behind the scenes so children see the level of care required to keep animals healthy and how keepers monitor behaviour and welfare.
Make Enrichment, See Skills
Junior keepers help prepare and deliver enrichment to stimulate natural behaviours—and witness first‑hand the remarkable skills the animals use to thrive in their environment.
What the day feels like
What It Feels Like
Across a two-and-a-half-hour morning session, children move through a sequence of keeper-led stations—briefing, hands-on duties, enrichment-making and simple monitoring tasks—each morning offering a different mix of activities so no two days are the same.
HANDS-ON
Real Keeper Tasks
Participants perform authentic keeper duties: feeding animals, cleaning enclosures and preparing daily care tasks that give a practical insight into animal husbandry.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Back-of-House Access
The program goes behind the scenes so children see the level of care required to keep animals healthy and how keepers monitor behaviour and welfare.
ENRICHMENT
Make Enrichment, See Skills
Junior keepers help prepare and deliver enrichment to stimulate natural behaviours—and witness first‑hand the remarkable skills the animals use to thrive in their environment.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Sessions run 9:00–11:30am; total program time is 2.5 hours.
Wearing the program’s special T-shirt is required when going behind the scenes—order one in advance if you don't already have it.
This is a drop-and-go program; for last-minute bookings call Mandy on 0413 799 599.
If your child may need extra support during the day, enquire about the Inclusive Heroes program before booking.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What age range is the Junior Wildlife Keeper program for?
The program is for children aged 5–16.
How long is the session and when does it run?
Sessions run from 9:00 to 11:30am and last 2.5 hours.
What activities will participants do?
Children engage in feeding, cleaning, preparing and giving enrichment, and simple monitoring and research tasks; activities vary daily.
Do participants need any special clothing or gear?
Wearing the program’s special T-shirt is required for behind-the-scenes access—order one if you don't already have it.
Can I arrange last-minute bookings?
For last-minute bookings call Mandy on 0413 799 599.
Is there support for children who need extra assistance?
Yes — the park suggests looking at its Inclusive Heroes program for children who may need additional support.