What Do Zookeepers Do?

A zookeeper is a professional who specializes in the direct care, handling and maintenance of animals that live in controlled environments such as zoos, wildlife parks or conservation centers. The zookeeper's main objective is to guarantee the physical and emotional well-being of the animals. They must ensure they receive adequate care in terms of food, health, environmental enrichment or habitat conditions.

The job of a zookeeper not only requires a love for animals, but also very specific technical knowledge of the species with whose charge you will be tasked. You can be as well meaning as you like, but if you do not have the expertise to care for an animal as they need to be, they will be harmed. For this reason, it is essential to train to be a zookeeper.

Not only does zookeeper training help you to learn how to take care of animals, it provides the knowledge you need to navigate the business of zookeeping. While different zoos will be funded differently, they all have operating costs and considerations regarding how they will continue. For this reason, we also need to learn how a zoo functions, what the different roles are required to run a zoo and lay the groundwork for making improvements in the future.

To be a zookeeper, you will need to meet certain expectations and to fulfill certain requirements. Not everyone's professional journey to becoming a zookeeper will be the same, but most professional zookeepers will have the following:

• Education: while it is possible to become a zookeeper via other routes, most are employed after going through higher education. This usually involves a zoology degree, but can also be related to a biology, wildlife management or similar qualification.
• Experience: for many zookeepers, the experience they receive will begin much sooner than graduation. Many will have involved themselves in animal welfare projects from the time they are a young age. During study, they will have had work experience and work shadowing experience to bolster their CV. Volunteering is one of the best ways to gain experience.
• Connections: volunteering and work placements not only provide great experience, they also provide connections. By showing your work ethic, ability and willingness, you can create a network of opportunities which can help lead you to your final career.
• Certifications: in addition to education, some zoos may require specific certification to allow you to work in certain roles. These can be obtained through certain bodies such as the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK).
• Skills and fitness: looking after animals can be very physically demanding. Not only will you need to have the ability to carry out the tasks, but you will need to strength to do it on a daily basis.

Before anyone starts on their journey of becoming a zookeeper, it is vital they agree with the aims and goals of these institutions. Some animal welfare workers consider zoos and similar animal sanctuaries to be inhumane. Others see them as necessary institutions to protect biodiversity around the world. You will need to know your own views before deciding to begin the process of becoming a zookeeper.

Now that you know what a zookeeper is, it is essential to know what tasks or functions the zookeeper will perform. Although these can be varied and depend on the specific species in your care, there are general duties of a zookeeper which stand out. They include the following:

• Animal feeding: preparation and supply of appropriate diets (according to the needs of each species).
• Habitat maintenance: maintaining and cleaning the enclosures in which the animals live, in order to provide them with optimal hygiene and safety conditions.
• Health monitoring: observing animal behavior and any changes to their physical condition to detect any signs there is a health or well-being problem. If necessary, they will need to assist the veterinary team with the administration of treatments or medical check-ups.
• Environmental enrichment: this involves providing activities or objects that stimulate the animal's natural behavior, in order to reduce their stress and promote their emotional well-being.
• Education and customer service: when participating in educational and outreach activities, it is important to be able to explain to the public the need for animal conservation, as well as any specific aspect of the species you are working with.
• Reproduction and breeding: finally, the zookeeper must collaborate in captive reproduction programs, especially in vulnerable or endangered species, with the aim of preserving biodiversity.

While some of us may be unable to carry out the zookeeper duties explained above, this does not mean we cannot play other roles in a zoo. Zoos are institutions which require a wide range of workers to ensure they run appropriately. Although you may not work directly with animals, those animals need administrators, managers and other professions to ensure their well-being.

To become a professional zookeeper, you will need a lot of specific training. Zookeeper training provides essential knowledge about animal handling, behavior, feeding and health. Even after you have your higher education qualifications and work experience, this will be necessary to gain a deep understanding of the zoo ecosystem. Through these courses, internships in zoos allow you to gain experience in a real work environment.

Once you have reached the stage where you can actually start looking for zookeeper roles, you will need to know what career opportunities are available. Zookeepers can work in:

• Zoos and wildlife parks
• Aquariums
• Wildlife rescue centers
• Sanctuaries and nature reserves
• Research and conservation

Zoos and other scientific institutions have research and conservation programs to help preserve endangered species. Wildlife rescue centers generally work to rehabilitate animals to return them to the wild. Animal sanctuaries often look after wild animals which are no longer able to do so. Many institutions can have departments which will involve these different disciplines together.

The salary of a zookeeper can vary depending on the country and the institution. Wile this is only a general figure, the starting salary in the USA for a zookeeper is around $25,000 to $32,000 per year. Once you have gained experience and become established, you can expect upwards of $50,000. Management and other senior figures are likely to earn more. You may also be able to develop specializations or other roles which can increase this figure.

Being a zookeeper is not only a rewarding profession for animal lovers, but also a career with multiple and diverse job opportunities. It is a profession that plays a vital role in the conservation and preservation of biodiversity.

Discover more about this conservation with our article asking when is World Animal Day celebrated?

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