What is the job description for a zookeeper?
As a zookeeper, you’ll need to: keep animal enclosures clean, germ-free and safely secured. prepare food such as pellets, fresh produce, meat or hay and administer medications. observe animals and check for any signs of distress or ill health.
What career field does zookeeper fall under?
Take courses in fields that will prepare you to be a zookeeper, such as zoology, general biology, forestry, animal husbandry, ecology, veterinary medicine, environmental studies, etc.
What degree do most zookeepers have?
Most zookeepers have a Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, which includes biology and zoology coursework, but some employers may accept an associate degree with relevant experience. Each program can give you the ability to take specialized classes related to the type of animals you want to work with.
What skills does a zookeeper need?
Zookeeper Skills
- Understanding animal behavior.
- Knowledge of animal handling and care techniques.
- Experience with common grooming techniques, including caring for coats, cleaning ears and clipping nails.
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, such as lifting heavy objects, bending and kneeling.
What is the difference between a zoologist and a zookeeper?
zoologist is the person who studies animals while zookeeper is the person that takes care and tends to animal in zoologic parks.
How hard is it to become a zookeeper?
Being a zookeeper means commitment to your animals, to the Zoo, and to public education. It involves long hours and hard work and over 95% of the time it isn’t really that glamorous. We do require a recent TB test result to work with the animals.
Can I be a zookeeper without a degree?
Though there is not a minimum educational requirement to become a zookeeper, it would be advantageous to gain a bachelor’s degree in a biology or zoology field. Along with experience or education, many employers require you to pass a background check to ensure the safety of their animals.
How often do zookeepers get hurt?
One answer from Susan Lovett reports that “61.5 percent of zoo vets report animal related injury during their careers, with 17.8 percent requiring hospitalization.”
What are the duties and responsibilities of an animal zookeeper?
Zookeeper Responsibilities: 1 Monitoring, feeding, entertaining, and protecting all animals in your charge. 2 Ensuring habitats are clean and safe and that animals are healthy. 3 Keeping detailed records of animal breeding habits, behavior, and health, and reporting any irregularities to the relevant stakeholders.
How long does it take to become a zookeeper?
Another option is a specialized two-year zookeeper degree from a community college. Gaining experience through volunteer work or an internship is really important to landing a job in this field. This means that getting a job at a zoo usually takes at least two years.
What is the work environment like for a zookeeper?
Work Environment. Cleaning, feeding, and providing general care to the animals are a necessity seven days a week, sometimes outdoors and in adverse weather conditions. The zookeeper must be prepared for a varied schedule that may include working weekends and holidays. Sick animals may need round-the-clock care.
Is it safe to work as a zoo caretaker?
Caution and skill can help keep you safe. Zookeepers must be prepared to work evenings, weekends, and holidays because zoo animals need care 24/7. About 40% of all nonfarm animal caretakers worked part-time in 2016, but those part-time hours were not necessarily normal business hours.