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Toledo Magazine: Toledo Zoo Junior Zookeeper program

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After assembling boxes with grasses inside for the goats' enrichment, the campers watch as a box is found and then explored by the goats. From left: campers Maria Hoffman and Sophie Krauss; ZOOTeen Raven Jones; campers Hasaniyah Bagais and Erin Pope; and camp teacher Eric Buckman.

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Hyesung Lee, 12, threads a long branch with leaves through the netting as added enrichment and food for the elephants. Alex Kang, 11, right, had already added hay to the barrel. The netted barrel, one of several in the elephants' area, hangs from a "tree" and can be kept completely out of the animals' reach, or lowered toward the elephants as needed. At center is volunteer Dan Kish.

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Volunteer Dan Kish holds a barrel for Maria Hoffman, 13, as she puts hay into it. The barrel is one of the enrichment activities for the elephants.

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Connor Bell, 11, prepares to toss a load of elephant dung into a wheelbarrow as he and other campers work in the elephants' area.

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Camp teacher Eric Buckman.

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Erin Pope, 11, learns that elephant keepers clean the elephants' areas out twice a day, everyday.

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Hasaniyah Bagais, 11, tosses a load of dung into the wheelbarrow as she and the other campers clean up the elephants' area. At right, Connor Bell talks with camp teacher Eric Buckman.

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Camp teacher Ciara Peace.

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Herpetology keeper Hannah Gerritsen, right, holds a plate of thawing mice as she talks about the different foods consumed in the herpetology section.

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The campers, teachers, and zoo teens leave the elephant area with one of the loaded wheelbarrows.

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ZOOTeen Raven Jones points out a pair of two-week old Aruba Island rattlesnakes born in the zoo to the campers. The rattlesnake is part of a zoo-based Species Survival Plan, as it is native to only parts of Aruba Island, where it is threatened by development, the pet trade, and feral goats.

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Camper Maria Hoffman strokes the Angolan python held by herpetology keeper Nick Gordon, right, during the tour.

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