BONSALL ZOO FIELD GUIDE
Half a Day in the Holding Yard: One-on-One Zookeeper Mentorship at Wild Wonders
A roughly three-hour, year‑round, personalized program in Bonsall that places participants aged 13+ alongside professional keepers for hands‑on diet prep, enrichment and a behind‑the‑scenes tour.
Half a Day in the Holding Yard: One-on-One Zookeeper Mentorship at Wild Wonders.
The Zookeeper Mentor Program at Wild Wonders in Bonsall is a personalized, one‑on‑one experience for people 13 and older who want to see what it takes to work as a zookeeper. Participants spend about half a day at the wildlife center working side‑by‑side with professional keepers, doing diet preparation, enrichment and other animal‑care tasks, and receive a guided tour of the facility. The program is tailored to the participant’s interests and is offered year‑round.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands‑on Keeper Duties
Expect to take part directly in diet preparation, enrichment and other daily animal‑care tasks—practical responsibilities that reveal the routine rigor of professional zookeeping.
One‑on‑One Mentorship
This is an individualized, interactive session—customized to your interests—so you’ll learn and work side‑by‑side with a keeper rather than in a large group.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Facility Tour
The experience includes a guided tour of Wild Wonders’ wildlife center in Bonsall, giving context to the hands‑on tasks and the daily flow of a keeper’s day.
What the day feels like
What the program feels like
Across roughly three hours you move from orientation and a behind‑the‑scenes tour into task‑based, practical work—measuring and preparing diets, assembling enrichment and assisting with routine care—always paired with a professional keeper who adapts the session to your interests. The pace is deliberate: observational moments punctuate hands‑on chores so you come away with a clear sense of the skills and dedication required in animal care.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits—and who should rethink it.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Closed‑toed shoes are required. Depending on the focus of your session, you may be asked to wear a mask during animal interactions; a mask is not required for the included behind‑the‑scenes tour.
Each Zookeeper Mentor Program is tailored to the participant’s interest and conducted one‑on‑one at the Wild Wonders wildlife center.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Zookeeper Mentor Program?
The program runs about three hours.
Who can participate?
The private experience is for one person and is available to participants aged 13 and up.
Will I get hands‑on time with animals?
Yes—participants take part in diet preparation, enrichment and other animal‑care tasks while working side‑by‑side with professional keepers.
Are masks required?
You may be asked to wear a mask during particular animal interactions if there is no applicable COVID vaccine for that species; a mask is not required for the included behind‑the‑scenes tour.
Is the program available year‑round?
Yes—the Zookeeper Mentor Program is offered year‑round and is customized to the participant’s interests.