The Road to Becoming a Zookeeper?

Answer 1

It is one thing to care for domesticated dogs, cats, and hamsters. But unless you plan on rebuilding Michael Jackson’s famous Nederland Ranch, the chances are you won’t be adding lions, tigers, and bears to your list of animal life you feed everyday. But don’t let your fascination for animal life end there. You may find plenty of opportunities to provide for the well being of the many species we share the planet Earth with as a zookeeper.

Like any fulfilling career, becoming a zookeeper will require an incredible amount of passion for animals. For one thing, you shouldn’t expect to become rich, with the average salary of a zookeeper averaging at just over $21,000. A zoo is also a dangerous environment. As a zookeeper you will want to resist any sudden impulses to pet the animals you are caring for. These wild animals can scratch, bite, or possibly spread disease.

You will want to be well informed about animal behavior, issues effecting endangered species, and animal trivia to answer people’s questions if you are giving a tour or presentation. You also will be at an advantage if you have pursued a collegiate education in the related areas of zoology, Biology, primatology, or animal science. But college is not the only appropriate path to becoming a zookeeper. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums offer professional training programs that can prepare you for zoo-keeping. Internships and volunteer work at zoos, animal shelters or veterinary offices are also very useful methods to distinguish yourself from other applicants.

A zookeeper has various responsibilities to keep animals healthy. They must not only feed them, but also clean up after them, because unfortunately animals are not potty trained. Zoo-keeping requires strong observational skills to notice particular behavior changes that could indicate an animal is sick or injured. Detailed records must be kept on each animal to assist veterinarians during their procedures. With animals spending their entire days confined, zookeepers also attempt to keep animals physically active.

So if you can bare working in any weather condition, many unfavorable odors, and getting dirty from time to time, you may have the stamina to be a zookeeper.