Thinking about becoming an animal keeper at the zoo?

Question

I am thinking about becoming an animal keeper at the zoo. My plan was to volunteer for about a year and take the many classes they offer over the course of this year also. These things are not required but there is a lot of competition for these positions and I figured it would help me get a foot in the door, so to speak.

Is there anything else I should do to help my chances of being selected when I apply? I don't have any formal or professional experience or training working with wild animals but I have been researching and studying all types of animals since I was very young and know a lot about them. Should I take a college course in animal science or something related also, even though it is not a requirement for the job?

What do you think? Thanks!

Answer 1

The requirements for every zoo varies. So its best to call the zoo that you want to work at and ask them the best route to becoming a zookeeper. An excellent way to get experience is to volunteer at a wildlife rehab center. You get experience handling wild animals and cleaning cages. Exactly what you would be doing at a zoo. It helped me get hired as a zookeeper...

Volunteering at the zoo is also a good way for them to get to know you. If you do a good job and they like you then you'll have a much easier time getting hired. Your foot in the door...

As far as classes go... Take classes in zoology, don't major in Animal Science. From my experience people who took zoology/wildlife courses were much more knowledgeable than those who majored in Animal Science. Thats because Animal Science is strictly farm animals.

Answer 2

Volunteering at a zoo or animal sanctuary is a very good idea. Most zoos are more interested in experience with animals and the ability to work hard than in qualifications - I used to be a zookeeper, and got the job without any qualifications other than GCSEs. Having higher qualifications is no guarantee of getting the job (my boss told me he's had people come in with degrees who didn't know which end an elephant craps out of!), and not having them is no guarantee you won't get the job.

I would just point out that a zookeeper's pay is generally quite poor - I earned minimum wage. Many people want to work with animals, so they don't need to tempt workers with high pay. The hours are long and you may not be paid for any overtime worked - in the zoo I worked at, you were paid only between 8am and 5pm, even if you arrived at 6.30am and didn't leave til 7pm. You are also required to work weekends and public holidays without additional pay.

The work is physically very hard, and you will be dealing with people, in the shape of the public, as much as with animals. Indeed, there is often little interaction with the animals you care for - the majority of the job is cleaning (picking up faeces, sweeping up straw, window cleaning, etc.). Also, you often do not have a choice as to which animals you work with. Most zoos will simply take you on as a keeper and place you where you are needed, though you can request to work with certain animals if and when a position with them becomes available.

Answer 3

Here are some links. I hope they help. Good Luck.

http://www.aza.org/ForEveryone/Careers/

Requirements

The conservation and scientific programs in zoos and aquariums have become highly technical and specialized. Although practical experience with animals may sometimes be substituted for academic training, most entry-level keeper positions now require a four-year college degree. Training in animal science, zoology, marine biology, conservation biology, wildlife management, and animal behavior is preferred. Curatorial, research, and conservation positions typically require advanced academic degrees.

Students wishing to pursue animal-related careers are encouraged to carefully review the curriculum of the schools they wish to attend, as some programs focus more on a zoological application than others. Students who are interested in the business side of zoo and aquarium operations should concentrate on skills related to a particular area of expertise, such as accounting, public relations, marketing, personnel management, etc. Whatever your career goal, guidance counselors can offer assistance in determining the most appropriate course of study.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/jobs/keeper_f...

Is it easy getting a keeper position?

Like any other popular job, there are more applicants than open positions, especially when it comes to big zoos like the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. Competition is stiff, and one must be persistent and patient before a position may even open up. It's not unusual for our Human Resources Department to receive dozens of applicants—often from existing Zoo or Park employees—for one animal care job opening. And those applicants still have to compete with applicants who are already keepers at other zoos around the world.

How do I become an animal keeper?

There is no single way to become a keeper, but the more education and hands-on experience you have, the better.

Education– While you’re in school, learn as much as you can in your science classes. In college, choose a degree program in animal-related fields like biology, zoology, botany, ecology, conservation science, or animal behavior. Take as many different courses in those areas as you can, and graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in your chosen field. (Here’s a BIG hint: the competition for jobs caring for animals is so strong that you really HAVE to have a college degree these days to be considered.)

Hands-on Experience– Find opportunities to work with animals. Some potential keepers have volunteered at our department of Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES), assisting CRES scientists and technicians. Sometimes work-study opportunities are available for college students.

http://www.stlzoo.org/animals/soyouwantt...

If You're in College

    * 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.

    * Get a bachelor's degree in one of the above-mentioned science fields; even if it's not a prerequisite for a zookeeping position, it will help you in your job search. A master's degree is usually not necessary, unless you're looking for a higher-level position.

    * Get a part-time job in an animal-related facility, including vet hospitals, humane society shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, farms and stables, even a zoo, if possible. In addition to good academic preparation, most zoos prefer to hire people for zookeeping positions who have prior animal-handling experience. For more information on the Saint Louis Zoo's volunteer opportunities, click on Volunteer.

    * Check at your local zoo or aquarium for internship and externship positions. These are normally offered to college and university students, recent graduates, and individuals with prior college coursework in the area of biology, zoology, education, animal science or related fields. Internships and externships are a good way to learn about the zoo field while obtaining valuable, hands-on work experience in animal care, wildlife conservation or environmental education. Click on Internships & Externships for more information on the Saint Louis Zoo's offerings.

http://www.aazk.org/zoo_career.php

The educational requirements for an entry level zoo keeper varies but is often a college degree in zoology, biology or an animal-related field. Some animal care experience such as zoo volunteer or intern, or veterinary hospital worker is also helpful. Some colleges offer specific programs oriented towards a career in zoos. The Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida, for example, has a Teaching Zoo, while Moorpark College in California offers an Exotic Animal Training Management Program.

http://www.wonderferret.com/zooed/

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_s...

16. Will the EATM program give me an advantage over any other schools or programs?

YES! There are facilities which contact us first when they have openings, because they prefer to hire our graduates. We have a job board at the EATM office, and also a posting on-line for graduates of the program.

For example, in March of 2001, the San Diego Zoo had openings for 7 summer positions. They received over 200 applications. All 7 of the people they hired were from the EATM graduating class of May 2001.......Several others are with Universal Studios - both in Orlando and Hollywood. Others are with various Marine Mammal facilities in the U.S. and abroad. Graduates from the class of 2004 are working training Guide Dogs in California, with marine mammals at Sea World Orlando, Sea Life Marine Park in Hawaii, Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, California - and many other facilities. Graduates from the class of 2008 have jobs at - Sea World San Diego, the U.S. Navy training sea lions, Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, Universal Studios Hollywood - and many other places.  EATM graduates get jobs everywhere.

http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets...

http://www.amazon.com/Kicked-Bitten-Scra...

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_s...