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"Zoo keeper" is a term used to describe an individual
who cares for animals in zoological parks or
aquariums. A career as a zoo keeper offers a unique
opportunity in the specialized and demanding
profession of maintaining captive exotic animals for
conservation, research, public education and
recreation.

Zoo keepers care for a diverse collection of animals
from mammals and birds to reptiles and amphibians to
fish and invertebrates. Some keepers become highly
specialized, such as those who work in animal
hospitals or who concentrate on a specific group of
animals such as exotic birds, great apes, elephants or> reptiles.

Important basic duties of zoo keepers include daily
cleaning and maintentance of animal enclosures and
proper feeding of the animals under their care. Zoo
keepers may help design, build and repair animal
enclosures and care for the plants in and around the
exhibits. Keepers must also be excellent observers,
learning habits and behaviors of both individual
animals and groups. Professional zoo keepers must be
able to detect subtle changes in an animal's physical
or psychological condition and then react accordingly.
These responsibilities should not be underestimated
since they are essential in maintaining a healthy and
reproductively successful animal colletion.

In addition, zoo keepers will work closely with zoo
managers on conservation, reproductive husbandry and
research projects. This research will provide zoos
with important information to help preserve rare and
endangered species and learn more about species which
may become threatened in the future.
Keepers serve as the first line of public relations
for their institutions. Interactions with visitors
help to increase the public's awareness of the
important role of zoos in wildlife conservation.
Keepers should be knowledgeable about the animals in
their zoo, the animals' natural habitat and habits,
and zoos in general. They should be friendly and
professional when answering questions from visitors.

The educational requirements for an entry level zoo
keeper varies but is often a college degree in
zoology, biology or an animal-related field. Some
animal care experience such as zoo volunteer or
intern, or veterinary hospital worker is also helpful.
Some colleges offer specific programs oriented towards
a career in zoos. The Santa Fe Community College in
Gainesville, Florida, for example, has a Teaching Zoo,
while Moorpark College in California offers an Exotic
Animal Training Management Program.

Zoo keeping can be a demanding job requiring
dedication, commitment, and patience. Keepers should
be reliable people who are willing to learn and
improve their performance in a cooperative setting.
Concern for their animals is essential since the
animal's lives depend largely on how the keepers view
their jobs. With such professional attitudes, keepers
develop a sense of pride in their work and in their
accomplishments and contributions.

Animal keepers must be physically able to perform the
required work and be in a general state of good
health. A person who is interested in zoo work should
be aware of the risk of animal inflicted injury or
disease. For these reasons, direct contact with
animals is minimized and strictly managed.

Because zoo animals require daily care and
maintenance, keepers' schedules include working
weekends and holidays. Wages are often relatively low
considering the training and education which is
usually required. Even so, zoo keeper jobs are at a
premium and some applicants may become frustrated over
the initial difficulty in entering the animal care
profession. The future for careers in zoo work
continues to expand and is promising for both men and
women.

Job advancement is also possible but more limited than
in some other careers requiring a college degree.
While keepers do move into management positions, many
prefer to remain at the important front lines of
animal care where their skills and experience have the
most direct impact.

Zoo keeping offers a unique opportunity for an
individual to pursue a career that is stimulating as
well as demanding, and from which one may develop a
deep sense of satisfaction. The personal gratification
of successfully maintaining and reproducing wild
animals -- especially rare or endangered species --
can be highly rewarding. Zoo keepers must devote
considerable time and effort in order to establish a
healthy, well-adjusted animal collection. Anyone who
is willing to make this sort of commitment should
seriously consider a career as a professional zoo
keeper.