How to become a zookeeper?

Edie

Edie

Member
My dream is to become a zookeeper.

Can anyone offer me some advice on how I might get a job as a zookeeper? Unfortunately my passion is for cats, which I realise is a highly competitive area! Maybe I need to broaden my interests.

I have been considering taking a degree in Zoology as I am interested in all kinds of animals. Would a degree help, or are there other routes?
 
Your best thing to do before you do anything else is to get some work experience. That way you can not only find out whether it is really what you want to do, but also meet people and find out more about the career. You will almost definately need to broaden your intrests as keepers will work with a number of animals and are unlikely to start off with the more dangerous ones.

If you can't find a zoo that will accept you as a volunteer or work experience then get the experience with any animal collection as the smelly side of the job is pretty similar I'd imagine
 
You need to get a degree first and foremost. Though some places hire people with out degrees, they most likely will be subpar facilities with way below subpar pay. Good pay for an entry level keeper job is around 20K a year. Focus on your education and get as much experience as you can through volunteering, research, or internships. Jobs are very competitive so even consider going to graduate school, especially in this economic climate, the more education the better and the longer you stay in school the more time you have to ride out this awful economic state. Degrees in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science would be great, and even anthropology and psychology degrees work if you want to work with primates. Some schools like Bucknell University offer specific degrees in Animal Behavior, and Central Washington University offers a degree in Primate Behavior and Ecology, both universities have attached captive primate facilities that you can volunteer at for caregiving, and research experience and get class credit for.

And yes diversity is key. If you want to work with cats great, but get a wide range of experience, most places will hire IN HOUSE, so if you can get a job working with reptiles or the kids farm then take it and hopefully a cat job at the facility will open up down the road and you can get it. Also, alot of facilities dont just have cat keepers or primate keepers, but exhibit keepers or section of the zoo keeper, so you might need to work with more then just cats even if you get a cat job. Keep your options open, and get an education first and foremost.

Hope this helps.
 
Hmm feel I have to comment.

Having a degree may be useful depending on whereabouts you are in the world, and at that, on the place/s you apply for.

Here in the UK most entry level keeper jobs do NOT want a degree. In fact, having spent four years gaining a degree I have personally encountered a good few jobs applied for where my degree has gone AGAINST me, and the post has been given to someone the institution wants to train up and teach 'their' way rather than wherever my university was. (I'm talking about you, Edinburgh Zoo! ;) ) Also, bear in mind that figure of 20K is US money, here in the UK entry level keeper jobs rarely reach that high (I have never seen one at any rate!), although salaries vary depending on which part of the UK and the regional cost of living etc.

What almost every zoo or animal collection keeper position is asking for in the UK is x number of years experience in a zoo environment and/or a qualification in Animal Management. (Check them out now on Zoo News Digest job section!) These qualifications are vocational, so you gain them 'on the job', so you often have to be working or volunteering for a collection already in order to train for them.

My advice would again be the volunteering - especially if you are in the UK. This would show employers that you are willing to commit (yes to the smelly parts of the job!) to the work, and also hopefully put you in place to train for one of the City & Guilds or NVQ courses in Animal Management or Animal Care.

If you are still at school and at a point where you choose the subjects for your final years then go for the sciences, biology, and also basic computing (believe it or not!) as most jobs require record keeping as much as animal keeping, and more and more this is done via computer. (Going up the ladder, think of the ARKS and ISIS databases, not so friendly to the computer shy!).

One thing that will always go in your favour when going for keeper jobs though is something they probably won't be teaching you in any school or university on the planet = enthusiasm! Show that you are enthusiastic for the profession, show you know something about animals and that you are passionate for them, that goes much further than having a degree every time - in my experience!

Hope this helps. :)
 
Considering the standards for zoos (in terms of enclosure design, enrichment) in Western Europe tend to be (but not all the time) higher then the US, I cant imagine having a degree hurt your chances when applying for a zoo job. If you get 4 years experience while earning a degree, and are competing for a job with someone who only has 4 years experience and no degree, the employer is going to pick the person with the experience and the degree. Plain and simple.

I dont know what the circumstances of you not being hired was but I HIGHLY doubt it was because you had a degree. I have been to Europe for conferences and have talked with curators, keepers, directors and volunteers at zoo's and they seem no different then the group over in the US. Most are educated and the people in the top position either have tons of experience, or less experience with lots of education.

I'm sorry but a zoo which houses some of the most endangered species in the world and is in charge of so many animal welfare concerns and standards is certainly NOT going to discriminate against someone with a degree. That is the silliest thing I have ever heard.

I do agree with the enthusiasm part. Enthusiasm goes a long way, and nothing says I really want to do something more then spending around 4 years of your life studying it! Get the degree and get the experience, together they will go a long way.

Zoo jobs are competitive, and if you do not end up getting one right away at least you have a degree to fall back on in the mean while and you wont have to work at some fast food place or wash dishes.

Get a degree. Education is the key to success. Though many people in zoos do not have degrees, the days of hiring people because they "just love animals" and want "a cool job" are over. Zoos are turning into highly important conservation, educational and scientific institutions and degrees are highly sought after, and almost entirely required in most facilities.

For yourself and for the future of animal well being in captivity, educate yourself so that when you are doing the job, you have not only the experience (because you need experience too) to back it up but progressive new ideas and thoughts that come from an education.
 
It depends actually (at least IMO), on the job and place.

If applying for a trainee keeper job at entry level, then a degree may put you on the 'over qualified' rung of the ladder. These jobs are the ones that put the food out and sweep up - not something that a degree would be needed to do.

You would need to earn a degree to get higher job and get that 'trainee' out of your job title. But as has been said, many zoos want to mold new keepers into their own ways and methods.

I am going through a type of careers advice at the moment, and my advisor has explicitly stated that degrees are not essential (though many places ask for them), but work experience/volunteering is tenfold more likely to get you into a keeping position.
 
I do agree with chimpanzee that education is important, have a look at the various facilites in the UK that offer a wide range of animal courses, Merrist Wood, Sparsholt, Rodbaston, Hadlow, Brackenhurst, etc.

But, as someone who doesn't have a degree or an A-level but over 18 years hands on zoo experience I can see what the others are saying as well.

I did it the hard way, writing to almost every zoo in the UK saying can I have a job please, then studying and training on the job, not an easy route, and I'm now reviewing my options to continue my own education, Open University etc.

Experience is very useful, doesn't have to be exotics, at least to begin with, and if you do chose the education route, remember you will still have to start quite low down the ladder and a foot in the door of one of the lesser known collections is better then no foot in the door at all.

It also goes without saying that as with all animal work its 90% work and 10% animals, but good luck with which ever route you take
 
Maybe I wasn't being entirely clear. Experience is very very important. But do not overlook an education either. The reason zoos have evolved from barren concrete cages to the more naturalistic enclosures we see now is because more and more educated scientists got involved with working in zoos. That trend needs to continue. So get as much experience as you can, but its easy to do so while earning an education which in the long run will be better for you AND the animals you will ultimately be caring for.
 
Chimpanzee said:
Maybe I wasn't being entirely clear. Experience is very very important. But do not overlook an education either. The reason zoos have evolved from barren concrete cages to the more naturalistic enclosures we see now is because more and more educated scientists got involved with working in zoos. That trend needs to continue. So get as much experience as you can, but its easy to do so while earning an education which in the long run will be better for you AND the animals you will ultimately be caring for.
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I get that point. Certainly, any 'main' keepers need an education, but I think that entry-level shouldn't need it. Education stands in the way of my dream, and I don't think it needs to. I cannot afford to put myself through 3-5 years (college/then uni) of full time education.

The way I see it is you could go straight into it as a trainee keeper (feeding/scooping), then learn as you go with on the job quals. It would be much more practical than being in full time education until I'm 25 :eek:
 
That might be more practical for you, but were discussing whats best for the individual who posted this question, who is already considering going to a university. Discouraging him because its easier for you not to go is not sound advice.

My confusion might be due to differences in titles, but what do you mean by "main" keeper and trainee keeper? And how does that apply to entry level positions. Here in the US, entry level keepers are responsible for cleaning, feeding, vet training, medical/well being evaluations, enrichment, husbandry training, diet restrictions/revisions, and the list goes on and on. So I feel even entry level keepers need an education, but again we might be discussing different terms.
 
Chimpanzee said:
That might be more practical for you, but were discussing whats best for the individual who posted this question, who is already considering going to a university. Discouraging him because its easier for you not to go is not sound advice.

My confusion might be due to differences in titles, but what do you mean by "main" keeper and trainee keeper? And how does that apply to entry level positions. Here in the US, entry level keepers are responsible for cleaning, feeding, vet training, medical/well being evaluations, enrichment, husbandry training, diet restrictions/revisions, and the list goes on and on. So I feel even entry level keepers need an education, but again we might be discussing different terms.
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I'm not discouraging the original poster at all. Uni (or at least college) is definately essential for high jobs. I didn't know entry level was so much responsibility. When I say main keeper, I just meant ones that weren't trainees/interns etc (like head keepers and senior keepers)
 
Please allow me to offer an opinion on this subject. I'm a supervisor who has just completed a round of interviews and hired some new employees I feel I have a pretty good handle on what sort of things we consider when hiring. Experience is definitely a plus, be it with exotic animals or dogs and cats. A degree is nice but doesn't tell me a thing about what sort of a keeper this individual may be. I also look for employees who will "fit" with the other individuals in our area. I recently did not hire a person who had lots of experience and a degree but not a person who would work well in our institution. I love to have interns. Giving a person a trial run at a job they think they might like is a great help. We have hired a number of young people who interned at our zoo. We have also not hired people who were interns here. My advice--volunteer, intern, learn. Be open to new experiences and opportunities. Expect to start working with animals that aren't your first choice--you may discover a new passion! Be flexible and be involved.
 
I've volunteered and worked recently in a small zoo, coming across many student placement, work experience, etc. people, and have discussed in some detail these matters with the zoo CEO and senior staff. These are observations from my experience, for what they're worth, and I've tried to be as unbiased as possible. Others may have different experiences and opinions of course :).

One thing that strikes me is that you couldn't just roll up at the zoo and expect to get an internship or work experience - these positions were highly sought after, and they were only available to people who had completed or were currently on animal care training courses. So training and experience go hand-in-hand, they're two sides of the same coin. Volunteers didn't work with the exotic & dangerous animals at all, only the domestic ones.

There's no such thing (as Chimpanzee pointed out) as 'lesser' keepers who somehow don't need the training. Maybe 20 years ago, but not now.

Having a degree is in no way a disadvantage. I can think off the top of my head of 5 keepers with degrees who I've personally known, no doubt there would be many more if I racked my brains and included my whole network. Just the lowliest education jobs had 3 graduates (and damn good ones) plus an undergraduate working in them.

There were ways to jump the queue in terms of getting keeper experience and entry-level jobs - but this involved being very well connected (think being family of the zoo owner or senior staff).
 
Ahhh, fair play. I thought that it would be possible to get in as a 's**t sweeper' and 'feeder.' I thought any medical stuff and the stuff you need degrees for would be done by the head keepers.

That then makes zoo-keeping for me a dream that will never come true. I couldn't afford tuition fees etc BEFORE all the stuff in the news lately, so I have no chance now :(.
 
Javan Rhino said:
Ahhh, fair play. I thought that it would be possible to get in as a 's**t sweeper' and 'feeder.' I thought any medical stuff and the stuff you need degrees for would be done by the head keepers.

That then makes zoo-keeping for me a dream that will never come true. I couldn't afford tuition fees etc BEFORE all the stuff in the news lately, so I have no chance now :(.
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Thats a rather defeatest attitude isn't it? you CAN still get in with the route you have suggested, trainee keeper role then the animal management course (in most cases funded or co. funded by your employer) then move on from there, but you have be prepared to fight for the role.

As Rookeyper has already pointed out a degree is nice, but your CV only shows that you can do the job, your interview is to see if the employer wants you to do the job.

An individual that has a good sound knowledge of the role of a modern day zoo, an understanding of animal managment tools, from behavioural training and enrichment to euthanasia, that is brimming with passion, dedication and enthusiasm still has a good shot at getting a foot in the door, if the employer sees potental in you.

There is no harm in applying for trainee / junior roles, the worst that you will get is a no thank you.

There are at least 2 collections advertising such roles on the BIAZA site at the moment.....
 
easytigger said:
Thats a rather defeatest attitude isn't it? you CAN still get in with the route you have suggested, trainee keeper role then the animal management course (in most cases funded or co. funded by your employer) then move on from there, but you have be prepared to fight for the role.

As Rookeyper has already pointed out a degree is nice, but your CV only shows that you can do the job, your interview is to see if the employer wants you to do the job.

An individual that has a good sound knowledge of the role of a modern day zoo, an understanding of animal managment tools, from behavioural training and enrichment to euthanasia, that is brimming with passion, dedication and enthusiasm still has a good shot at getting a foot in the door, if the employer sees potental in you.

There is no harm in applying for trainee / junior roles, the worst that you will get is a no thank you.

There are at least 2 collections advertising such roles on the BIAZA site at the moment.....
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Thanks for the encouragement. I hear so many different things that I never know what to think, but will check the BIAZA website and keep trying :).
 
Javan Rhino said:
That then makes zoo-keeping for me a dream that will never come true.
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Use your initiative. For example, in Cheshire there are a lot of wildlife volunteer schemes, some of them run by your favourite zoo. They give you the opportunity to get hands-on and learn in the process, which in turn could lead to a placement on an accredited course. Remember that it is possible to start working with endangered wildlife or threatened habitats on your back door, you don't need to travel to darkest Peru.

Cheshire Active Naturalists
Cheshire Wildlife Trust
RECORD / Count Me In

Volunteering would enable you to gain experience in the field (pardon the pun) and gain valuable contacts, both of which would help greatly when applying for a position as a student or volunteer keeper.
 
Yes, experience can go a long way, certainly do not give up! And if an education is holding you back, get a different job and go to school part time, when I was in college as an undergrad I worked the 12am-6am shift at my local McDonalds to pay the bills, certainly wasnt ideal, but it got me through school, and though the experience I earned there had no application to my future zoo work, when I was being interviewed for jobs, I was able to say how hard I worked and how much I put out to get to where I was and it certainly showed that this was the career path I wanted. Hell, you can even get a job doing something else and just spend the rest of your life volunteering at your local zoo, I have known plenty of volunteers who have done that and have enjoyed it thoroughly! But do not give up, that is silly! You can do it and find a way. Also, there are a lot of scholarship opportunities out there for school, I bet you can find one. But do not give up.
 
Javan Rhino said:
Ahhh, fair play. I thought that it would be possible to get in as a 's**t sweeper' and 'feeder.' I thought any medical stuff and the stuff you need degrees for would be done by the head keepers.

That then makes zoo-keeping for me a dream that will never come true. I couldn't afford tuition fees etc BEFORE all the stuff in the news lately, so I have no chance now :(.
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I was in no way trying to put down your aspirations - that's why I said at the top of my post that I can only speak for my own experience in one zoo, not for all. Having said all that, I would stick by what I wrote as regards my zoo, 100%.

I do know keepers who started from the very bottom as untrained volunteers, but that was in the past, not now. But again, not all zoos are the same!

I do know someone who's crossed over from retail to keeping (and is training on the job like an old-fashioned junior), but again, they had that back-story with the zoo as a trusted long-term employee.

Another thought: zoos are often looking for reliable catering staff (trustworthy, organised workers with a decent brain are like gold dust and will shine through) - that's one way in, if you have the interest in animals & suck up to enough influential people you might get a foot in the keeping door that way, it's possible.

P.S. you certainly don't need a degree, a 1 year vocational course in animal care will open plenty of doors.
 
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JR, you do realize you could probably get a student loan? I'm actually looking at moving in a couple of years to do a degree, and it's getting accomodation that's giving me nightmares. With already being in Cheshire you may well already be close to somewhere with a great range of suitable degrees and foundation courses... (Chester University/Reaseheath College for instance...)
 
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