In the late 1960’s, without the help of computers and the internet, seven men set out to connect zoos across the U.S. for the first time and transform the field of animal care. It was a feat met with roadblocks and resistance, but thanks to their efforts it would grow into one of the largest zoological organizations in the world.
This documentary traces the bold beginnings of the American Association of Zookeepers, showcasing the incredible history of the organization and the animal care profession. Along the way, we take viewers behind the scenes at iconic zoos, where keepers are more than employees — they’re animal advocates, problem-solvers, and sometimes—gibbon impersonators.
Yes, there are stories of animal escapes and the dangers of the job. But this isn’t Tiger King. This is about the people who rarely make headlines — the keepers who dedicate their lives, on and off the clock, to protecting our planet’s most vulnerable species and ecosystems.
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