Helping at zoo offers creature comforts for volunteer
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Winnipeg Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $0.00 a X percent off the regular rate.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/03/2025 (184 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Do you know the easiest way to tell the difference between an ape and a monkey? What about the greatest difference between antlers and horns?
Tanya Chopra can tell you.
Apes don’t have tails, while most monkeys do. Antlers are shed and regrow each year, while horns are permanent.

Those are some of the facts Chopra shares as a camp counsellor at Zoo Camp at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. The Grade 12 student has spent a few weeks each of the last two summers volunteering at the camp, which gives children between the ages of six and 13 the opportunity to learn about animals.
“The summer just makes me feel like a kid again. So, I love working with kids because they energize that part of me,” Chopra says.
“It’s such a great experience, and you meet so many cool people,” she adds. “It’s just amazing.”
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy last month launched its annual campaign to find more enthusiastic volunteers to fill a variety of roles within the park and zoo for the busy summer season.
All volunteers are trained at the zoo, the Leaf and in the park, and can take shifts at their preferred location.
Positions are available to anyone 14 and older.
Youth ages 14 to 18 are invited to apply for camp crew, teen-engagement ambassador, and the new conservation outreach and leadership team.
Roles for adults include engagement ambassadors, visitor services concierge, special events assistants and animal-care workforce volunteers.
Linda Hamilton got involved in June 2023 and quickly became a familiar face at the park. She typically volunteers three times a week.
A lifelong animal lover, she spends most of her time at the zoo.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The Central Community Centre needs new board members. The available positions include vice-president, secretary and treasurer. There are also five general board member positions open. For more information, email office@gcwcc.mb.ca. The deadline to apply is March 26.
L’Arche Winnipeg is seeking event-day volunteers for the 21st annual Walk with L’Arche, which raises funds for people with intellectual disabilities, on May 4. Various roles are available, from setting up and preparing food to helping at the registration table and ensuring safety along the walk route. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to apply at wfp.to/W8N by April 25.
Variety, the Children’s Charity, needs bike camp volunteers for its summer sessions. The camp helps people with disabilities learn to ride conventional bicycles, a valuable experience often missed by those with autism and Down syndrome. No experience working with people with disabilities is needed. The camp runs from June 30 to July 4 and July 7-11, with 800 volunteer spots available. Volunteers serve as spotters to support riders and ideally would attend the same session all five days so they can work with the same rider daily. Apply online at wfp.to/W8y by July 11.
Manitoba Underdogs Rescue needs compassionate people with reliable vehicles to act as dog dashers. Volunteers will transport rescue dogs to vet visits and foster homes, ensuring their safety and comfort. Daytime availability is preferred, but help is welcome anytime. Responsibilities include keeping the vehicle clean and communicating with the team. Volunteers should have a valid driver’s licence, a safe vehicle and a willingness to handle dogs. The commitment is two to three hours per month. Apply online at wfp.to/W8j by Aug. 1.
Volunteers 16 or older are needed for the Winnipeg Fine Art Fair, which is happening April 4-6. Roles include ticketing, helping at the wrapping table, roaming and team leadership. This non-profit organization hopes to inspire passion and appreciation of arts and culture. Apply at wfp.to/Wrg or 204-612-4126 by March 24.
Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba needs someone to act as a lay member on the registration committee. The volunteer will help in the review of applications for professional engineering and geoscience licensure. The position is ideal for someone who has good analytical and critical thinking skills, understands the association’s mandate to serve and protect public interest, and has an ability to work effectively as a team toward consensus. Appointees serve a two-year term, with monthly meetings conducted virtually, although hybrid/in-person meetings might be held. Email volunteer@EngGeoMB.ca by March 31.
Victoria Lifeline needs in-home service volunteers for the Winnipeg and/or Steinbach areas. They help deliver Lifeline services to community residents so they can continue to live independently with the support of a personal help button. Volunteers must be friendly and caring, able to drive, have access to a vehicle and be available weekdays. Flexible schedules are available. Send a resumé to info@victorialifeline.ca by March 31.
Shelter Movers — a national charity providing free moving and storage services to people and families fleeing abuse — needs movers and drivers. Movers must be 18 or older, and drivers must be 21 or older. Email volunteer.winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by March 31.
Pride Winnipeg needs an accessibility co-ordinator to help the director in ensuring events are accessible and inclusive. The role involves implementing the accessibility operations plan, setting up accessible spaces, conducting site checks and collaborating with event managers. The volunteer should be passionate about inclusivity, have strong organizational and communication skills, and understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Flexibility for daytime, evening and weekend hours is essential. Email hr@pridewinnipeg.com by April 2.
The Canadian Cancer Society needs volunteers for its Wheels of Hope program, helping people who can’t get to their cancer treatment appointments by providing trips when people need us most. Volunteers provide safe rides and support to clients during difficult times. A commitment of at least three weekdays a month is required, with flexible scheduling. Candidates should have a reliable, smoke-free vehicle and a clean driving record (three demerits or fewer), and must provide references and undergo a criminal record check. Mileage reimbursement or a tax receipt are offered. Apply at wfp.to/WZO by June 15.
Siloam Mission needs kitchen volunteers for its main location at 300 Princess St. and its housing facility, the Madison, at 210 Evanson St. Volunteers will help prepare and serve meals, with shifts available at breakfast, lunch and dinner. No experience is required. Apply at wfp.to/WZn or 204-956-4344, ext. 2210, by July 30.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
“I am always in such a good mood when I come to the zoo to start my shift, and I always leave in an even better mood,” the retired veterinarian says.
Hamilton has helped the zoo’s animal-care experts clean stalls, assisted school groups touring the grounds and served as a fire attendant at the park’s annual Halloween celebration, Boo at the Zoo.
Engagement ambassador might be her favourite job. In that role, Hamilton helps zoo visitors by answering their questions and sharing facts about the animals.
“I love meeting our guests and hope to make their experience at the zoo an exceptional one,” she says.
“I also love meeting and getting to know some of our animal-care experts. They have a wealth of knowledge and are always willing to share that with the volunteers. That, in turn, can be shared with our guests, again to make their experience a memorable one.”
Hamilton is impressed by how well the Assiniboine Park Conservancy takes care of volunteers. They receive extensive training and are provided with T-shirts and caps for the summer, and toques and vests for the winter.
Hamilton said they are repeatedly told how much they are valued, and receive perks such as snacks, lunches, dinners and appreciation nights.
The paid staff are great to work with, she adds.
“I am thrilled and honoured to be a part of this group,” Hamilton says.
More information about volunteering at Assiniboine Park is available online at wfp.to/parkvolunteer.
A minimum commitment of 60 hours for adults and 40 hours for teens is required annually.
The application deadline for this season is June 16.
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.