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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zookeeper

💰 $30,000 - $65,000

Animal CareConservationZoologyWildlife ManagementVeterinary Support

🎯 Role Definition

A Zookeeper is responsible for the daily care, welfare, and management of captive wildlife and domestic species housed in a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife sanctuary. The role emphasizes species-specific husbandry, enrichment program design, health monitoring, safe restraint and transport, exhibit maintenance, public education, and collaboration with veterinary and conservation teams. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong observational skills, practical animal-handling experience, meticulous record-keeping, and a commitment to animal welfare and conservation messaging.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Animal Care Assistant / Keeper Trainee
  • Volunteer or Intern in a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife rehabilitation center
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician or Farm Animal Care Worker

Advancement To:

  • Senior Zookeeper / Lead Keeper
  • Head Keeper / Collection Manager
  • Curator of Animals / Curator of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, etc.
  • Animal Programs Manager or Conservation Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Animal Trainer / Behavior Specialist
  • Education Officer or Interpretation Specialist
  • Veterinary Technician (with additional qualifications)
  • Exhibit Designer / Husbandry Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide daily, hands-on husbandry for assigned species groups, including preparing and administering species-specific diets, monitoring intake, adjusting rations for life-stage and health status, and maintaining accurate feeding logs.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate behavioral enrichment programs that stimulate natural species behaviors, reduce stereotypic activity, and increase animal welfare; document enrichment outcomes and refine strategies based on observations and data.
  • Monitor animal health continuously through behavioral observation and physical checks, identify signs of illness or distress, and coordinate with veterinary staff to initiate diagnostics, treatments, and medical follow-up.
  • Safely perform routine and emergency restraint, capture, and transport of animals using approved techniques and equipment while ensuring minimal stress and maximal safety for animals and staff.
  • Maintain clean, secure, and biologically appropriate enclosures and microhabitats, including daily cleaning schedules, substrate management, shelter upkeep, and seasonal modifications to replicate natural conditions.
  • Conduct and maintain detailed animal records (husbandry logs, medical histories, breeding and reproductive data, behavioral observations) using digital record systems and ensure data conformity with institutional and regulatory reporting requirements.
  • Lead and participate in animal training programs for cooperative husbandry and medical behaviors using positive reinforcement and force-free methods to facilitate voluntary participation in exams and treatments.
  • Assist with breeding programs and reproductive management, including monitoring cycles, preparing breeding introductions, supporting neonatal care, and working with curatorial and conservation teams on genetic management plans.
  • Implement biosecurity protocols and zoonotic disease prevention measures, including quarantine procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, sanitation standards, and staff training to minimize pathogen transmission.
  • Participate in enrichment and welfare research projects, collect behavioral and health data for internal use or external publications, and contribute to husbandry best-practice development.
  • Support exhibit design and modification by advising on species needs, spatial requirements, barrier systems, and naturalistic elements that facilitate welfare and visitor visibility without compromising animal privacy.
  • Supervise and train volunteers, interns, and junior staff in safe animal handling, feeding protocols, enrichment construction, and record-keeping standards; provide constructive feedback and performance coaching.
  • Carry out animal transfers between departments or institutions in compliance with permitting, transport regulations, and institutional transfer protocols; coordinate logistics with curatorial and regulatory teams.
  • Respond to animal-related emergencies and incidents (injury, escape attempts, severe illness) by following emergency action plans, performing triage under veterinary guidance, and documenting incidents for post-event review.
  • Manage and maintain husbandry equipment, tools, and supplies, ordering consumables, ensuring equipment safety checks, and advising procurement of species-appropriate materials and enclosure upgrades.
  • Deliver accurate, positive, and educational interpretive talks or demonstrations to visitors, special groups, and school programs to promote species conservation messages and improve visitor understanding of animal care.
  • Collaborate with conservation biologists, curators, and external partners on species survival plans (SSPs), reintroduction initiatives, captive-breeding goals, and in-situ conservation support projects.
  • Apply animal behavior knowledge to resolve problem behaviors through behavior modification plans and coordinate with trainers and veterinarians when clinical interventions are required.
  • Maintain compliance with relevant legislation and accrediting body standards (e.g., AZA, EAZA, USDA, local wildlife authorities), preparing documentation for inspections and participating in internal audits.
  • Oversee daily scheduling and logistics for feeding, enrichment delivery, exhibit cleaning, and staff rotation to ensure continuity of care and appropriate staff-to-animal ratios.
  • Participate in budget planning and cost management for assigned collections by proposing cost-effective husbandry solutions and tracking expenditures related to feed, bedding, and enrichment materials.
  • Mentor and contribute to staff development programs, help create SOPs and training manuals, and lead in-service training sessions on safety, husbandry, and welfare best practices.

Secondary Functions

  • Support off-site conservation fieldwork and specimen collection initiatives when needed, assisting staff with capture, tagging, and data collection under supervision.
  • Coordinate veterinary appointments, lab sample collection, and transport logistics for diagnostic testing and specialist consultations.
  • Assist education and marketing teams by providing content, photographs, and husbandry stories for web, social media, and interpretive signage to promote transparency and conservation initiatives.
  • Help maintain landscaping and exhibit planting appropriate for animal diets and naturalistic settings, collaborating with horticulture teams to source safe plant species.
  • Contribute to grant proposals, species action plans, and annual reports by supplying accurate husbandry data, welfare metrics, and program outcomes.
  • Facilitate internship and volunteer programs by developing task lists, training material, and assessment rubrics to ensure high-quality experiential learning.
  • Participate in visitor research and feedback initiatives by describing animal behavior trends, exhibit usage patterns, and suggesting improvements for visitor flow and engagement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Species-specific husbandry expertise across assigned taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates), including dietary formulation, thermoregulation needs, and enrichment protocols.
  • Proficiency in animal restraint and handling techniques (manual, netting, crate, or chemical restraint coordination), with strong emphasis on safety and welfare.
  • Experience with animal training methods using positive reinforcement, shaping, and desensitization for medical and husbandry cooperation.
  • Strong observational and behavioral recording skills, including use of ethograms, incident reports, and behavioral data collection tools.
  • Familiarity with zoo management software and digital record systems (e.g., ZIMS, Zootrition, PopLink, or other MSS platforms) for daily logs and medical histories.
  • Knowledge of biosecurity principles, quarantine procedures, and zoonotic disease prevention, including proper PPE use and sanitation practices.
  • Competence in basic animal first aid and emergency response protocols; certification in animal first aid or wildlife handling is a plus.
  • Ability to perform routine maintenance and minor carpentry, plumbing, or fencing repairs necessary for exhibit upkeep and safety.
  • Understanding of regulatory compliance, permitting, and accreditation standards relevant to captive wildlife (AZA, USDA, CITES, local wildlife agencies).
  • Experience handling and maintaining live diets, specialized feeds, and enrichment materials that meet nutritional and behavioral needs.
  • Skills in neonatal and pediatric care for young or orphaned animals, including hand-rearing techniques when necessary.
  • Capacity to collect, label, and prepare biological samples for veterinary diagnostics while maintaining chain-of-custody and documentation.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent observational acuity and attention to detail to detect subtle changes in animal behavior and health.
  • Strong communication skills for cross-team collaboration (veterinary, curatorial, education, maintenance) and public-facing interpretation.
  • Team-oriented mindset with demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and work in high-pressure, emergency situations.
  • Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to adapt husbandry plans in response to changing animal needs or environmental conditions.
  • Physical stamina and endurance for repetitive, hands-on tasks, lifting, and outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
  • Empathy and ethical commitment to animal welfare and conservation principles.
  • Time management and organizational skills to prioritize daily husbandry, record-keeping, and programmatic responsibilities.
  • Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills when working with staff, volunteers, and the public.
  • Continuous learning attitude and willingness to adopt evidence-based practices and new husbandry innovations.
  • Cultural sensitivity and inclusiveness when engaging with diverse teams, visitors, and community partners.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent with demonstrable practical animal care experience and relevant certifications.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Animal Science, Wildlife Biology, Biology, Ecology, or related fields.
  • Additional certifications (e.g., animal first aid, wildlife handling, OSHA/Workplace Safety, ZIMS training) are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Zoology
  • Animal Science
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Ecology
  • Veterinary Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years of direct animal care experience in zoos, aquaria, wildlife rehabilitation centers, sanctuaries, or similar settings.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years of focused zookeeping or specialized husbandry experience with demonstrable responsibility for a collection, enrichment programs, training plans, and involvement in breeding or conservation initiatives.
  • Experience with accredited institutions and familiarity with husbandry databases and regulatory compliance.
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