Zoo keeper

Zoo keepers care for animals in zoos, safari parks, bird gardens and aquaria. They clean enclosures and cages, provide food and water to the animals, monitor health and look after sick and injured animals. Zoo keepers work with the public, for example, answering questions, and are responsible for the safety of animals and people. They take part in research, conservation and breeding projects.

Work activities

Zoo keepers have practical duties such as mucking out and cleaning animal houses, and internal and external areas of enclosures. They prepare food for the animals, and provide them with fresh water and clean bedding. Zoo keepers also have to provide the animals with an environment that is stimulating, meets their behavioural needs and encourages a range of natural behaviours. This is known as environmental enrichment. Sometimes, zoo keepers will design and make devices that add to environmental enrichment. They need to keep careful records of the animals’ health, diet and behaviour. They note changes that might be clues to illness, injury or pregnancy, bringing these to a vet’s attention. They help vets to treat animals and follow their instructions for looking after them.

In some jobs, keepers have contact with the public. For example, they answer visitors’ questions, and give talks and presentations. They are always responsible for the safety of animals and the public. They need to enforce policies and health and safety procedures, for example, quarantine restrictions for newly arrived animals, and preventing visitors from feeding the animals. In some zoos, keepers have the opportunity to take part in research projects. This could involve animal observations and collecting data, giving presentations and going to meetings and conferences. Zoo keepers can take part in conservation work or monitor breeding animals as a part of a national or global breeding programme. In safari parks, the keeper’s work can include extra tasks, such as patrolling by vehicle to make sure visitors are safe. The work can be physically challenging as zoo keepers have to work outside in all types of weather and be prepared to get dirty.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a zoo keeper, a love of and respect for animals is essential. However, your attitude towards animals must not be sentimental, and you cannot be squeamish. Tasks such as mucking out can be dirty, unpleasant and hard work. You can also be working with sick animals, and helping to decide whether to euthanise an animal that is too sick to be treated. You must also be prepared to work outside your normal working hours, especially if there are sick animals to be treated.

You’ll also need:

Physical fitness
Willingness to work outside in all types of weather
A pleasant manner and good communication skills for dealing with the public
To be polite but firm when enforcing rules, such as preventing people from feeding the animals.

Pay and opportunities

Rates of pay for zoo keepers vary with the employer and responsibility. The pay rates given are approximate. Zoo keepers start on around £14,000 per year, rising to £25,000 with experience. People in senior positions can earn more. Some employers provide low-cost accommodation for keepers.

Zoo keepers usually work between 37 and 40 hours per week. However, it is usual to have early starts, late finishes, shift work and work at weekends and public holidays. Zoos are open for longer hours in the summer. They are generally open every day of the year, except Christmas Day in most cases.

Employers are zoological societies, trusts, local authorities and commercial organisations. These run zoos, safari and wildlife parks, bird gardens and aquariums, throughout the UK. There are opportunities for zoo keepers in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK. Zoo keepers can have the opportunity to work in other countries on conservation, education and animal welfare projects.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on the websites of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the Association of British Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK), on employers’ websites, on the Government’s Find a Job service, on job boards and in local newspapers. You can find apprenticeship opportunities on the Government’s Find an Apprenticeship website.

Entry routes and training

Employers usually look for people who have developed relevant skills and knowledge through work experience, including voluntary work. Many zoos run volunteer schemes and student placements, which are a good way of gaining experience part-time and can lead to employment opportunities. However, please note that many zoos only recruit volunteers into non-animal care roles because zoo keepers need to be highly trained. Working with animals on a farm or in stables can also be useful experience.

You could become a zoo keeper by taking one of the following apprenticeship schemes:

Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2/intermediate)
Animal care and welfare manager (level 2/advanced)

Training is on-the-job. Most zoos require trainees to complete an animal management course before becoming permanent keepers. There are relevant courses in animal management, including from City & Guilds where you can specialise in zoos and wildlife parks. The course is for people who are already working in zoos or a closely related area. If you take an apprenticeship, a relevant qualification will be included on your programme.

A range of colleges and universities offer degrees in zoo husbandry, zoo management, and wildlife conservation, including at master’s level. Study can be full or part time/flexible.

Competition for jobs is very strong, so qualifications and skills gained through experience are very important.

You could be promoted to a senior or head keeper position. Standards in UK zoos are very high, for example, in conservation, education, health and safety, so zoo keepers have the opportunity to take further courses to further their careers.

Qualifications

To become a zoo keeper, there are no set entry requirements. However, most zoos will look for at least 5 GCSEs (9-4) or equivalent. Some zoos ask for English, maths and a science subject (preferably biology). Some zoo keepers have higher-level qualifications such as A-levels, foundation degrees, HNDs or degrees in areas like animal management, biology or zoology. To get onto an advanced apprenticeship, you will usually need at least five GCSEs, grades 9-4, including English and maths. Zoos usually look favourably on applicants who have college qualifications in animal care/management, or City & Guilds land-based services awards, certificates and diplomas in work-based animal care (levels 1-3).

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have developed relevant knowledge and skills through taking part in a zoo volunteer scheme. Others have gained knowledge and skills through relevant work experience, for example, in dog kennels, catteries or with livestock.

Related careers

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