Zookeeper

Zookeepers manage animals that are kept in captivity for conservation, education, research and/or to be displayed to the public. They are usually responsible for the feeding and the daily care and welfare of the animals. As a part of their routine, zookeepers clean the exhibits and report possible health problems. They may also be involved in particular scientific research or public education, such as conducting guided tours and answering questions.

Zookeepers usually specialise in working with one type of animal, or in a particular section of the zoo, such as with great apes, penguins, African animals, reptiles, or in aviary. Some zookeepers look after animals in private collections, though this is less common.

The duties of a zookeeper include, but are not limited to:

• Monitoring, feeding, entertaining, and protecting all animals in your charge.
• Ensuring habitats are clean and safe and that animals are healthy.
• Keeping detailed records of animal breeding habits, behavior, and health, and reporting any irregularities to the relevant stakeholders.
• Providing veterinarians with animal histories and information and assisting with the administration of medicine.
• Educating the public about animals, which may include delivering spirited presentations, demonstrations, and lectures.
• Liaising with other Zookeepers and building professional networks.
• Attending talks, lectures, and seminars on animal conservation and zookeeping.
• Conducting independent research and providing suggestions for improved animal care and fundraising initiatives.
• Inspiring and providing training to new staff and volunteers.

Zookeepers work both inside and outside in all types of weather and conditions. Because animals need constant care, food and water, zookeepers might work long or unusual hours, including evenings and weekends. Zookeepers are on their feet often and might have to do physical tasks such as lifting heavy objects, moving cages and cleaning.

Being a zookeeper can be physically and emotionally demanding. Zookeepers are at risk of getting bitten, kicked or otherwise injured when handling or restraining animals. They might have to manage stressful or difficult situations such as animals becoming injured, sick or euthanized.

The following job titles also refer to zookeeper:

zoo animal keeper
zookeeper and tour guide
zoo animal care professional
zoo caretaker
zoo presenter & animal keeper
zookeeper & tour guide
animal care worker
aquarist
zoo presenter and animal keeper
zoo keeper
zoo attendant
zoo animal caretaker

Although zookeepers typically need at least a high school diploma, they are increasingly qualified to degree level, and often to postgraduate level.

An associate or a bachelor’s degree in zoology is the most direct route into this career but a degree in a life science or animal-related subject such as the following can also be advantageous:

• biology
• psychology
• animal science
• animal behaviour
• animal welfare.

Several universities offer specific postgraduate courses in zoo conservation or zoo biology which can give applicants an edge in a fiercely competitive profession.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Zookeeper is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to zookeeper.

zoo section leader
poultry breeder
dog breeder
fur animals breeder
bee breeder

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of zookeeper. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of zookeeper with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

animal hydrotherapist
animal massage therapist
animal embryo transfer technician
animal artificial insemination technician
alternative animal therapist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of zookeeper.

• Signs of animal illness: Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
• Animal nutrition: Aspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.
• Animal evolution: The evolutionary history of animals and the development of species and their behaviour through domestication.
• Animal welfare: Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are:
  • need for a suitable environment
  • need for a suitable diet
  • need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
  • need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals
  • need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
• Applied zoology: The science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.

These skills are necessary for the role of zookeeper.

• Assess management of animals: Evaluate the management of a wide range of animals including the care, welfare and housing environment of animals in a zoo, wildlife park, stable, farm or animal research facility.
• Control animal movement: Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal’s, or a group of animals’, movement.
• Assist in general veterinary medical procedures: Assist veterinarians by preparing both the animal and the equipment for medical procedures, and providing care and support to the animal undergoing a medical procedure.
• Manage animal biosecurity: Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.
• Provide nutrition to animals: Provide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.’
• Provide an enriching environment for animals: Provide an enriching environment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, and including adjusting environmental conditions, delivering feeding and puzzle exercises, and implementing manipulation, social, and training activities.’
• Assess animal nutrition: Assess the nutrition status of animals, diagnose dietary imbalances and prescribe correction.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Assist in transportation of animals: Assist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transport process.
• Provide first aid to animals: Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid provided by a veterinarian. Non-veterinarians providing emergency treatment are expected to seek treatment by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
• Follow zoo safety precautions: Follow the zoo safety rules and regulations in order to ensure a safe working environment while working with the zoo animals, and to ensure the safety of zoo visitors.
• Provide opportunities for animals to express natural behaviour: Be aware of the natural behaviour of animals and adapt captive environments to encourage this behaviour. This may involve changes to environments, diets, group compositions, husbandry routines etc.
• Assess environment of animals: Evaluate the domain of the animal including the quantification of ventilation, space and living quarters and measure them against the “five freedoms”: freedom from hunger or thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury or disease, freedom to express normal behaviour, freedom from fear and distress.
• Maintain professional records: Produce and maintain records of work performed.
• Maintain animal accommodation: Make sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.
• Manage animal hygiene: Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.
• Care for juvenile animals: Assess the needs of the offspring and juvenile animals. Take appropriate action without delay in case of problems with the health of the offspring or juvenile.
• Monitor the welfare of animals: Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals’ accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.
• Assess animal behaviour: Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.’
• Administer specific drugs to facilitate breeding: Administer specific drugs for synchronisation of breeding cycles to animals in accordance with veterinary and owner instructions. This includes the safe use and storage of drugs and equipment and record keeping.
• Promote animal welfare: Promote good practice and work with compassion to sustain and promote high standards of animal welfare at all times by adapting personal behaviour and managing environmental factors.
• Administer treatment to animals: Administer animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.’

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of zookeeper. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Design training programmes for animals: Assess the training needs of the animal and select appropriate methods and activities to meet training objectives.
• Conduct ecological research: Conduct ecological and biological research in a field, under controlled conditions and using scientific methods and equipment.
• Educate people about nature: Speak to a variety of audiences about e.g. information, concepts, theories and/or activities related to nature and its conservation. Produce written information. This information may be presented in a range of formats e.g. display signs, information sheets, posters, website text etc.
• Train animals: Train animals to facilitate their routine husbandry, for treatment, and/or public demonstrations.
• Speak about your work in public: Speak about your work to different kinds of audiences. Illustrate aspects depending on the audience and the occasion.
• Groom animals: Prepare the environment for grooming, select the correct grooming equipment and grooming methods for the animal. Apply occupational health and safety principles, of basic animal anatomy and physiology, including the identification and reporting of any abnormalities.

5164 – Pet groomers and animal care workers

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References

1. ESCO
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. 39-2021.00 – Animal Caretakers – O*NET Online
4. Learn About Being a Zookeeper – Indeed.com
5. Zookeeper Job Description – Betterteam
6. Zookeeper Job Profile | Prospects.ac.uk
7. Featured image: Photo by Anthony Yin on Unsplash