Taronga Zoo on its current site in Sydney was opened on 7 October 1916. Over the past 100 years much has changed, particularly after a critical review was held in 1967 and the focus moved to scientific research, conservation and education. The change in focus created a number of changes to the zoo’s structure at a management level, but day to day the staff and volunteers need to look after as many as 10 000 visitors per day during peak holiday periods. In order to staff the zoo, a large number of volunteers work alongside paid staff, informing visitors of the exhibits and the zoo’s mission, while ensuring the safety of the guests and the animals. The care of the animals and their enclosures means a schedule of cleaners and researchers work together in a seamless manner to serve zoo guests. How does the zoo encourage staff and volunteers to want to work in the outdoors, in all weather conditions from the summer heat to rain and winter winds across Sydney Harbour? What makes teenagers through to retirees volunteer to spend their spare time ‘mucking out’ enclosures, cleaning up rubbish and spreading the word of conservation? And how does it maintain this pool of workers year after year?
Question
The zoo needs volunteers to provide customer service and be conservation warriors whenever wearing their uniforms. It receives over 500 applications every six months to join, but what motivates these people to work without pay and to keep turning up? After reading this chapter, you should have some good ideas.