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Do you enjoy caring for animals? If you are interested in providing day to day care for a variety of different animals, then a career as a zookeeper may be right for you. Read on to learn how to become a zookeeper.
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Polar Bear Plunge (Part 3) Zookeeper Interview
This interview with Julie Christie, the zookeeper who is responsible for the polar bears at the Oregon Zoo, features Christie explaining what a zookeeper does. They feed and care for the animals, attempt to simulate activities they'd participate in in their natural environment, develop educational programs, and work with veterinary staff to keep the animals healthy.
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Step 1: What Does a Zookeeper Do?
Zookeepers take care of an animal's basic needs, including:- Feeding
- Cleaning their living spaces
- Keeping behavior and health records
- Working with veterinarians to assess and manage the animals' medical needs
- Developing animal enrichment programs.
Step 2: What Personal Characteristics Does A Zookeeper Need?
Animal care is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week job, so zookeepers need to have flexible schedules. Care must be provided outdoors in all types of weather, so a zookeeper needs to be able to work in rain, snow, and extreme heat. Zookeepers need good observational skills, as small changes in behavior may indicate the beginning of a problem.Step 3: What Education and Training is Required to become a Zookeeper?
Zookeepers are not required to be licensed by the state; educational requirements are set by the individual zoo. Some zookeepers only have a high school degree; others have completed a two or four year program in animal science or biology. Wages will depend on the amount of education and experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for a zookeeper in 2006 was $10.76 an hour.
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