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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Keeper

💰 $ - $

Animal CareConservationZoologyEducation

🎯 Role Definition

A Zoo Keeper is a trained animal care professional responsible for the daily husbandry, welfare, enrichment, safety and public interpretation of animals in a zoological setting. This role includes preparing and delivering species-appropriate diets, maintaining clean and secure enclosures, monitoring animal health and behavior, providing environmental enrichment and training, supporting veterinary treatments, maintaining meticulous records, delivering educational programs, and contributing to conservation and research initiatives. Successful candidates combine technical animal-care skills with strong observational ability, safety-first practices, clear public communication, and a commitment to ethical conservation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Animal Care Attendant / Animal Keeper Assistant
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician or Volunteer
  • Veterinary Technician / Veterinary Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Senior Zookeeper / Lead Keeper
  • Collection Manager / Curator of Animals
  • Animal Programs Manager / Head of Husbandry

Lateral Moves:

  • Education and Outreach Coordinator
  • Field Conservation Specialist
  • Animal Training and Behavior Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide daily husbandry for assigned animals including feeding, portioning and preparation of specialized diets, and monitoring consumption to ensure nutritional needs are met and to detect changes in appetite that may indicate health issues.
  • Clean, sanitize and maintain animal enclosures, night quarters and exhibits to high standards of biosecurity and guest-safety, using approved disinfectants and following facility-specific cleaning protocols.
  • Observe and document animal behavior and physical condition during daily rounds; record abnormal behaviors, injuries, or signs of illness and promptly report findings to the veterinary team and supervisor.
  • Administer prescribed medications, assist with veterinary procedures, and conduct basic treatments under the direction of licensed veterinarians, including injections, wound care, topical treatments and routine health checks.
  • Design, fabricate and implement species-appropriate environmental enrichment programs that promote physical exercise, cognitive stimulation and natural behaviors; evaluate enrichment effectiveness and adjust plans.
  • Train animals using positive reinforcement and operant-conditioning techniques to facilitate voluntary cooperation for husbandry and medical procedures (e.g., shifting, target training, crate training).
  • Conduct safe capture, restraint and transport of animals for medical examinations, transfers, or off-exhibit movement, following established protocols and using appropriate equipment.
  • Maintain detailed animal records, databases and logs (feeding, behavior, medical treatments, breeding, enrichment, weights) to support continuity of care, regulatory compliance and research.
  • Participate in animal collection management activities including breeding programs, pair introductions, pregnancy monitoring and neonatal rearing with emphasis on welfare and genetic diversity goals.
  • Implement and monitor quarantine procedures for new arrivals and returned animals; perform health screening and collaborate with veterinary staff on quarantine care plans.
  • Enforce public safety and animal safety policies during exhibit hours, education programs and animal encounters; interact with visitors to model safe behavior and respond to emergencies.
  • Supervise and train volunteers, seasonal staff and interns in animal husbandry procedures, safety protocols and recordkeeping best practices to ensure consistent, high-quality care.
  • Assist with preventative maintenance and minor repairs to habitats, locks, gates, plumbing and husbandry equipment; communicate larger maintenance needs to facilities staff.
  • Participate in emergency response planning and execution, including evacuation, containment and medical emergency procedures, and assist with first-response actions during animal incidents.
  • Support conservation, research and monitoring projects by collecting behavioral and biological data, participating in fieldwork when required, and collaborating with academic or conservation partners.
  • Maintain inventory control for feed, medications, enrichment materials and husbandry supplies; place orders and manage receipt, storage and rotation of perishable items.
  • Conduct educational talks, demonstrations, keeper chats and school program sessions to interpret animal biology, conservation messages and husbandry practices for diverse audiences.
  • Ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations and permitting requirements related to animal care, transport and display (e.g., USDA, state wildlife permits, AZA standards).
  • Participate in animal transfers and acquisitions, coordinate logistics, prepare shipping paperwork, and ensure humane transport standards are met for in/out movements.
  • Monitor water quality and habitat environmental parameters for aquatic and semi-aquatic species; operate filtration and life-support systems and report anomalies to aquatics/facilities teams.
  • Assist in behavioral enrichment research projects by designing trials, collecting observational data and analyzing outcomes to inform evidence-based husbandry improvements.
  • Provide specialized care for neonates, pediatric animals and geriatric individuals including hand-rearing, growth tracking, and tailored nutritional and environmental management.
  • Maintain and use specialized husbandry equipment safely (e.g., hoists, nets, crates, tranquilization equipment, PPE) and complete required training and certifications.

Secondary Functions

  • Collaborate with the education and marketing teams to develop content, social media posts and interpretive materials that accurately portray animal care and conservation initiatives.
  • Support administrative tasks such as staff scheduling, incident reporting, budget tracking for assigned units and drafting proposals for enrichment or exhibit upgrades.
  • Participate in interdepartmental committees focused on animal welfare, sustainability, volunteer engagement and visitor experience improvements.
  • Mentor junior keepers and cross-train across collections to build depth and resilience in the animal care team.
  • Collect and prepare biological samples (fecal, blood, hair) for diagnostic testing under veterinary guidance and coordinate sample shipment to laboratories.
  • Lead or assist with off-site outreach events, mobile education programs and community conservation initiatives representing the institution and promoting mission-driven messages.
  • Contribute to exhibit design planning by advising on animal requirements, sight lines, barrier safety and maintenance access for new or renovated habitats.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Animal husbandry for a broad range of taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates) with demonstrated proficiency in species-specific care.
  • Behavioral observation and interpretation, including documenting ethograms and using behavior-based welfare assessments.
  • Enrichment design and evaluation, including use of naturalistic and problem-solving enrichment to encourage species-typical behaviors.
  • Positive reinforcement training and operant conditioning techniques for voluntary cooperation in husbandry and veterinary procedures.
  • Basic veterinary support skills: administering medications, injections, wound care, and assisting with anesthesia and sample collection under supervision.
  • Safe capture, restraint and transport procedures, including use of nets, crates, chemical immobilization protocols (when authorized) and transport documentation.
  • Recordkeeping and data entry into husbandry, medical and exhibit management databases (e.g., ZIMS, Chameleon, or equivalent).
  • Quarantine and biosecurity protocol implementation, disinfection procedures and zoonotic disease awareness.
  • Water quality testing and life-support system basics for aquatic exhibits (e.g., pH, salinity, ammonia/nitrite monitoring).
  • Use and maintenance of husbandry equipment (hoists, gates, specialized feeding systems) and basic hand tools for minor habitat repairs.
  • Permit and regulatory compliance knowledge (USDA, state wildlife, CITES where applicable) and experience preparing shipping/permit documentation.
  • Inventory management, ordering and safe storage practices for feed, medications and controlled substances.
  • Data collection methods for research and monitoring, including sample handling and basic statistical or spreadsheet analysis.

Soft Skills

  • Strong observational acuity and attention to detail to detect subtle changes in animal condition or behavior.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills for public interpretation, team coordination and incident reporting.
  • Teamwork and collaboration across departments (veterinary, education, facilities, conservation) with a cooperative mindset.
  • Leadership and supervisory ability to train and mentor volunteers, interns and seasonal keepers.
  • Physical stamina and manual dexterity required for lifting, moving supplies, and performing hands-on care.
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking skills to respond to animal welfare issues and unexpected incidents.
  • Calm temperament under pressure and ability to execute emergency protocols reliably.
  • Empathy for animals and ethical commitment to welfare-based decision making and conservation goals.
  • Time management and organizational skills to balance routine husbandry, enrichment, recordkeeping and public duties.
  • Cultural sensitivity and public-facing professionalism for interacting with diverse visitors and community partners.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; demonstrated hands-on animal care experience required.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Animal Science, Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Biology, or related field preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Zoology / Animal Science
  • Biology / Ecology
  • Wildlife Management / Conservation Biology
  • Veterinary Technology / Animal Behavior

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of progressive animal care experience; entry-level roles may accept 0–2 years with strong volunteer or internship background.

Preferred: 2–4+ years working in a zoological institution, wildlife rehabilitation center, sanctuary or accredited animal facility with experience in enrichment, training, veterinary support, and public education. Experience with AZA standards, husbandry software (e.g., ZIMS), and species-specific care for the collection assigned is highly desirable.

Certifications (beneficial): First Aid/CPR, Rabies Pre-Exposure (for high-risk taxa), OSHA and confined space training, AZA professional development courses, and permits relevant to the collection (USDA, state wildlife permits).

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