Random Zoo Questions

M

moose

New Member
Hey my name is Jon. I'm 18 years old and I'm trying to gather as much information as I can get about owning and running a zoo. It has always been my dream to run a zoo and with college coming up real quick I'm trying to figure out every thing I need in order to make it happen. I'm hoping to get answers from people who have run or started a zoo. So please, if you have some extra time all your answers are appreciated.
Just some starters...
#1. Do you have to go to college or have a degree in order to run a zoo?

#2. What type of licenses do you all need in order to run a zoo? and where can you go to get them?

#3. Where should I start trying to finding animals and how much they cost?

#4. For those of you that have run a zoo before: What are your biggest problems or regrets (if any)?

Thanks again for your time and answers! Your awesome :)
 
I think most of your questions have more nuanced answers then you might think. For example very few zoos are owned by individuals. I would think a degree in either zoology or non-profit management would be valuable for you, as would volunteering at your local zoo.
 
@Moose

1. Welcome to Zoochat!

2. Several others here share your dream and your concerns. There are several lengthy threads exploring the idea. Search and find them. It'l save you a lot of time and, as scott suggested, could well re-frame your questions
 
Yeah! I say I'm from Grand Rapids because no one knows where Zeeland is! Haha, and I volunteer and John Ball Zoo... So that's why I say I'm from Grand Rapids.
 
moose said:
Hey my name is Jon. I'm 18 years old and I'm trying to gather as much information as I can get about owning and running a zoo. It has always been my dream to run a zoo and with college coming up real quick I'm trying to figure out every thing I need in order to make it happen. I'm hoping to get answers from people who have run or started a zoo. So please, if you have some extra time all your answers are appreciated.
Just some starters...
#1. Do you have to go to college or have a degree in order to run a zoo?

#2. What type of licenses do you all need in order to run a zoo? and where can you go to get them?

#3. Where should I start trying to finding animals and how much they cost?

#4. For those of you that have run a zoo before: What are your biggest problems or regrets (if any)?

Thanks again for your time and answers! Your awesome :)
Click to expand...

The Santa fe College in Gainesville FL offers a degree in Zoo Animal Technology. They have a teaching zoo with some animals in residence. Here's a few links for you:

Program Details | Programs of Study | Academic Affairs | Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL

Teaching Zoo | Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL

I was there a few years ago. Here's some photos from my visit:

Santa fe College Zoo Gainesville FL - a set on Flickr

Hope this helps. Good luck.
 
grafxman said:
The Santa fe College in Gainesville FL offers a degree in Zoo Animal Technology. They have a teaching zoo with some animals in residence.
Click to expand...

There also is Moorpark college in California. They have both a zoo and the only exotic animal training degree in an american college.
 
At the absolute minimum you will need to be licensed by the USDA. You will also need to check on any state or county requirements in the location you set up. A fantastic source of information for newbies is the Feline Conservation Federation, which provides training courses for any serious individuals on how to properly manage wild cats and how to get proper licenses - they even have a state-by-state list of required permits. They deal with wild cats only, but I am sure this information could help find out what is required for other animals as well. If you have the time off this summer (early June) and enough money, their annual convention is being held in Cincinnati and includes a day at the Cincinnati Zoo. I have never been to one of their conventions myself (would love to go to this one if I could afford it), but I guarantee you would meet lots of private exotic animal owners and small zoo operators and the connections there would prove invaluable. (Unless you do not want cats as part of your zoo).
 
Thanks so much for the help everyone! Hopefully I can get involved in some of those and work towards my dream job! Thanks again :)
 
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