Zookeeper: Caring for Animals, Ensuring their Well-being

1. Agricultural Careers Zookeeper By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Ms. Anna Burgess Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education, June 2005 START

2. Job Duties & Responsibilities • Prepare food, clean cages and monitor the behavior of animals • Answer questions from visitors about the animals • Clean and fill water troughs, replenish bedding, clean windows and monitor temperatures • Observe animal health and behaviors, and assist with veterinary care • Zookeepers are expected to know the natural history of the animals in their care, what diets they need, what behavior is like in their natural habitats and generally how to properly care for them

3. Qualities and Skills Zookeepers must be enthusiastic about animals and should have an interest in animal biology. They should have a pleasant attitude when working with animals or with people. They will also need to have good verbal communication skills. A zookeeper must be patient, sensitive, and experienced in problem solving and animal obedience.

4. Salary Median hourly earnings of non-farm animal caretakers were $8.21 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.95 and $10.26. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $6.13, and the top 10 percent earned more than $13.39.

5. Work Environment • Zoo keepers may work outside or indoors • Conditions may be wet, cold, dirty, muddy, smelly, hot or humid • Typical work week is about 40 hours, but zookeepers must also work weekends and holidays, and hours can be irregular • Possible exposure to bites or scratches • Can be noisy, depending on the animal(s) being attended

6. Becoming a Zookeeper Some zoological parks may require their caretakers to have a bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, or a related field. Most require experience with animals, preferably as a volunteer or paid keeper in a zoo. Good job opportunities are expected for most positions because many workers leave this occupation each year. The need to replace workers leaving the field will create the overwhelming majority of job openings. Many animal caretaker jobs require little or no training and have flexible work schedules, attracting people seeking their first job, students, and others looking for temporary or part-time work.

7. Career Resources Animal Behavior Management Alliance Internet: https://www.membersolutions.net/organization/abma/home.asp American Association of Zookeepers Internet: http://www.aazk.org Animal Behavior Society Internet:http://www.animalbehavior.org American Zoo and Aquarium Association Internet: http://www.aza.org