Zookeepers are the first line of defense against potential health and injury problems. In captivity many of our charges do not show signs of disease or illness until it is too late to treat effectively.
A good keeper gets to know their animals so well that they recognize the subtle signs of illness a specimen may be hiding.
This allows our veterinary staff to treat the specimen in a timely fashion. Education : Although the only specific education requirement at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a High School education, it is often the college degree that gets you that closer look. Although a degree in Zoology or Animal Science would be nice, a bachelor in one of the other life sciences will do just fine. Although not a requirement, there is a small handful of keeper training programs related to institutions of higher learning.
Being a zookeeper means commitment to your animals, to the Zoo, and to public education. And bring along a field guide on birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects or plants to help you better appreciate what you're seeing.
Keep a nature journal. Take a class on animals or nature at your local zoo, animal sanctuary, or park. Work hard in school, not just in classes on science and nature but in all subjects.
Chances are you still don't know for sure what you want to do when you grow up. So learn as much as you can in all of your classes. After all, there are a lot of different kinds of jobs in zoos -- from exhibit developer to accountant to computer programmer -- and only about one in 10 involve working with animals.
Keep your options open! Begin preparing for a zoo career by reading about animals, observing them, and associating with "animal" people. And be sure to check out the suggestions we've listed above for elementary school students -- they could apply to you too.
Tell your middle school or high school guidance counselors if you're interested in pursuing an animal-related career.
They'll help you choose the right classes to help prepare you for further education in college. If you're old enough to get a part-time job, consider working or volunteering at a pet shop, veterinary hospital, animal shelter, livestock farm, horse stable, pet breeder or even a zoo, if possible. Job market trends for Zookeepers. Source: SEEK. Latest Zookeeper reviews. Zookeeping is hard work but very rewarding. Reviewer's Qualification. The job is very rewarding as you care for a variety of animals and some are endangered species.
You get to educate the public about many species and hopefully they make a change to their everyday live You do have to work in all types of weather and we start very early in the morning! Read more. Volunteer keeping is as rewarding as it is dirty.
A wonderful stepping stone into the world of animal care or zookeeping. The ability to gain experience and be mentored by other keepers is invaluable. A very good way to get a feel for the realities o Most of the keepers are so grateful of your help. But there are those that can act like you are in their way or talk down to you.
Remember you are there to assist keepers and provide excellent animal Explore similar careers. Read more from SEEK. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link. The requirements for becoming a zookeeper vary depending on the level of the position. They typically include:. Zookeepers typically need at least a high school diploma. These programs give aspiring zookeepers valuable skills and knowledge for working with animals, including animal behavior, genetics, nutrition, anatomy, physiology and reproduction.
Zookeepers can also seek education and training through online or in-person courses hosted by organizations such as:. San Diego Zoo Global Academy: This learning platform offers dozens of free online courses in topics such as animal welfare, care, safety and conservation. Species-centric series are another option. During this time, they will learn about zoo animal and wildlife diet and nutrient needs as well as problem-solving skills and practical tips.
American Association of Zoo Keepers: This organization offers more than a dozen educational programs for zookeepers that last up to two years. Some are courses and associate degrees offered through community colleges, while others take place on-site at zoos.
Most zookeepers get on-the-job training from previous experience working with animals. Prospective zookeepers might gain experience by volunteering, interning or working at an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, aquarium, farm or zoo. Zookeepers are not required to be certified, but certain certification programs can further their knowledge and give them an advantage when applying for jobs.
Certification options include:. Professional Development Certificate: The Association of Zoos and Aquariums offers this program in which zookeepers complete training course hours to become certified in concentrations such as behavior husbandry or management and operations.
SCUBA certification: This underwater diving certification includes coursework and a confined and open-water dive. It typically takes a few days to complete and can benefit zookeepers working with species that have bodies of water in their enclosures. CPR and first aid certification: Some zoos require their zookeepers to train in basic first aid.
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