Zookeepers are some of the most important people at a zoo (although every role in a zoo is important!) as they look after the animals, their enclosures and generally make sure that everything is running smoothly. You’ve probably noticed the keepers at your local zoo doing a number of different things, from feeding the animals to repairing enclosures. This is because there’s a lot that a keeper has to do to make sure the animals are well looked after and that they have everything they need.
Although the exact day-to-day schedule for a zookeeper will depend on which animals are in their care and what is required at the time, we’ve outlined below the main areas of focus for any keeper:
A zookeeper will usually work with certain species and, along with other zookeepers working in that area, will be responsible for maintaining the animal enclosures and ensuring that they are clean, well maintained, repaired (when needed) and generally in a good condition for the animals to be able to inhabit safely. How much is involved in this depends a lot on the type of animals being looked after. Larger animals, or animals that will have a lot of space to roam in the wild, will need much larger enclosures. Animals that are often hunters in the wild (such as big cats) will also need to be moved into certain areas in their enclosures for keepers to enter and be able to work safely.
Alongside repairing existing enclosures, keepers will be required to help in building new enclosures. New enclosures may be needed for new animals, or to increase the size of the enclosure for existing animals, or to add new features to existing enclosures. Building an enclosure requires planning, organisation and hands-on skills such as woodworking. These are really important skills for any keeper to have.
One of the most important parts of a keepers day is keeping their animals well-fed! Preparing the meals and feeding the animals can be a big job, depending on the size of the animal and how much they eat in a day. It’s important that animals have a good routine of feeding times and these must be strictly kept to.
Alongside everything else mentioned in this list, zookeepers must regularly check in and observe their animals throughout the day. They do this to check for any signs of ill health or injury, and to generally make sure the animals are happy and healthy!
Sometimes animals will require medical support from a veterinarian. This can include routine health checks or can involve administering medical treatments or medications. Depending on the animal the keeper may have to play a role in this. If the animal is large or has particular issues that require support, then the keeper is likely to support the vet in their treatments or health checks.
Zoos, especially those with a big focus on conservation such as Hertfordshire Zoo, focus on and support with breeding animals to help increase populations. When possible, keepers will be responsible for supporting with both breeding between pairs, but also managing the expecting mother during her pregnancy. Once the mother has given birth the babies will often be kept at the same zoo, and will need a lot of support from the zookeepers, and then may be transferred to another zoo at a later date.
Keepers play an incredibly important role in this process and have to have a great understanding of what’s needed to keep both mum and babies safe.
It’s so important for animals in captivity to stay stimulated and engaged with their surroundings during the day. Aside from feeding and looking after enclosures, it’s also the role of the zookeeper to ensure that the animals have the right level of mental & physical stimulation to keep them entertained. This may involve adding a playful component to their enclosure or temporarily providing the animals with something to play with (or games).
This depends on the animal, how much stimulation they need and the size of their enclosure.
To help visitors understand more about the animals and conservation efforts keepers will often hold talks in their specialist areas. These talks give the zoo a chance to share important information on the animals, including:
Keepers will be able to give these talks, sometimes to large groups, in a fun and engaging way. Talks are an important part of the zoo experience for guests and give the zoo a great chance to share information on their animals, how the public can help conservation and more.
This is often a big part of the job. Zoo visitors are keen to find out more about the animals they’ve come to see and, especially if they’re with children, will ask questions about the animals (especially what they are like and how to look after them!). As a keeper you must have good communication skills and be able to engage with the public. Aside from giving talks as mentioned above, this will include more informal passing conversation with guests. Being able to communicate well, especially with children, is important.
Want to know more? Find out what qualifications are needed to become a zookeeper and how to become a keeper.
Our zookeeper experiences are the perfect opportunity to experience life as a zookeeper right here at Hertfordshire Zoo! Book your experience today.
