CheetahFit with Saint Louis Zoo WildCare

“Maybe we should do this?” the email from the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Executive Director read.

The conservation arm of the Zoo is always looking for projects to support our “on-the-ground” partners in saving animals and their habitats from extinction around the world. The Cheetah Conservation Fund’s (CCF) “Cheetah Fit Challenge” seemed like a worthy project for an enthusiastic community of zookeepers to take on.

From the WildCare Institute’s initial call to action, the Saint Louis Zoo’s involvement in the Cheetah Fit Challenge transitioned to our keepers, as our local chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) took up the mantle. The St. Louis Chapter of AAZK is well-known in our community for its expertise in raising funds for conservation. Recently, St. Louis AAZK raised money for chelonians through a “Drink Beer, Save Turtles” fundraiser for the Turtle Survival Alliance. In the spring, a comedy club hosted “Laughs for Giraffes” to help our hooved friends, and AAZK is known for its yearly flagship event, “Bingo for Rhinos,” which benefits rhino conservation. CCF’s Cheetah Fit Challenge seemed like the perfect project to add to AAZK’s repertoire.

Keepers and their friends from the Saint Louis Zoo and the Endangered Wolf Center joined the challenge, forming a team of 25 participants ready to raise money and have fun getting fit together. We created “Team St. Louis AAZK” and committed to our individual challenges. Two members aimed to rehab running injuries through strength training, three focused on Pilates, four trained with canine companions (shout-out to Charlie, Rocky, Flynn, Heidi, and Stella!), seven aimed for 30-60 minutes of various exercises each day, and nine went the distance by walking, running, and hiking for miles.

Once the Challenge kicked off, everyone hit the ground running with social media posts and emails cheering each other on. Team members sent messages to fellow Zoo employees, asking for donations, while others tapped into family and friends’ resources in a quest to meet our goal. My birthday coincided with the dates of the fundraiser, so I requested Cheetah Fit Challenge donations in lieu of birthday gifts. As we got closer to our intended goal, we became more excited and competitive, both individually and as a team. We were overjoyed to surpass our original goal of $3,500 by raising nearly $5,000 for cheetah conservation. We were also proud to claim first place for all U.S. teams, with our Midwestern competitive spirit alive and well.

Along the way, we had fun on our journey. Halfway through, team members met up for an after-work hike in St. Louis’ Forest Park. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset, fields of autumn wildflowers, and included our dogs and kids in the fun. At the conclusion of the challenge, we met west of St. Louis in Castlewood Park for a celebratory hike on the bluffs overlooking the Meramec River. In total, 12 of our 25 team members were able to hike with the group, creating a spirit of camaraderie as we sweated together in our new Cheetah Fit Challenge t-shirts.

Our success in the Cheetah Fit Challenge was a true team effort. We raised money from a total of 105 separate donors and spread the word about these remarkable animals and the conservation work of CCF to countless connections, both online and in person. It was an inspiring, energizing experience for a worthwhile cause. When next year’s Challenge starts, look for Team St. Louis AAZK to hit the ground running—we’re ready to defend our crown!