- The zookeeper position's responsibilities include preparing and planning each animal's diet and monitoring its health and well-being. A zookeeper must be on the lookout for any changes in animal behavior that could signal a health problem. An animal care worker keeps notes on animal behavior and eating habits to provide information to zoo veterinarians in the event an animal becomes sick. Zookeepers clean the animal's living and exhibition area, provide the animal with activities, and may hide food in the exhibition area to keep the animal active. The zookeeper also interacts with the public to answer questions and offer education about the animals.
- A zookeeper may complete an undergraduate degree in biology or animal science to work with animals. Some employers, such as the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, may require a minimum of two years in college to qualify for a zookeeper job. Many candidates complete a four-year degree program to compete for the few available positions.
- Zookeepers can gain experience working with animals through voluntary positions in a zoo, an animal humane society or with an animal shelter. Work on a farm or in a veterinary clinic or animal hospital can also provide the zookeeper with experience handling animals. Experience in an animal care facility can prepare a zookeeper job candidate for the everyday zoo work of cleaning cages and feeding animals.
- A zookeeper must have verbal communication and customer service skills to work with the public in a zoo. These animal care workers may give presentations to zoo visitors, which requires public speaking skills as well. Zookeepers need written communication skills to prepare reports and keep notes on animal behavior and health for veterinarians. Skills in mathematics are necessary to measure foods and medications to animals under the zookeeper's care.
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