Stonebridge logo
  • Courses

    Course Categories

    Nursing Midwifery Health Professionals Social Science Medicine and Healthcare Professions Science Humanities Business & Management Social Work Education All Access to Higher Education
    A Level Psychology A Level Biology A Level Chemistry A Level English Language A Level Maths A Level Accounting A Level English Literature A Level Sociology A Level Business Studies A Level Physics A Level History A Level Economics
    GCSE Psychology GCSE Biology GCSE Chemistry GCSE Economics GCSE English Literature GCSE Sociology GCSE Business Studies GCSE Physics GCSE History GCSE (9-1) English Language GCSE (9-1) Mathematics Foundation Tier
    Accountancy and Bookkeeping Law and Business Management Customer Care Human Resources (HR) Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) Sales and Marketing Business Skills Healthcare Skills Law Skills IT Skills
    Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Coaching Early Years Educator and Childcare Education and Teaching Education, Teaching and Coaching Personal and Parenting Teaching Assistant
    Anatomy and Physiology Animal Care CBT, Psychotherapy and Counselling Complementary Therapies Foot Health Practitioner Health and Social Care Nutritional Sciences Psychology Sports and Fitness Stress Management
    English and Maths Functional Skills GCSE
    Agriculture, Horticulture and Gardening Animal Care Art and Photography Beauty, Hair and Nails CBT, Psychotherapy and Counselling Conservation and Environment Criminology and Security Hospitality, Catering and Event Management Travel, Tourism & Aviation Web Design and IT Writing and Journalism
    Canine and Feline Qualifications Animal Welfare Qualifications Veterinary and Zoology Qualifications All Veterinary Science and Animal Care Qualifications
  • How it works
  • Help and support
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Access My Learning
  • View My Basket
Student Login

OR

Click here to login
Atom LMS Logo

Forgot Password?

  • Stonebridge Home
  • Our Blog
Our Blog
June 15, 2021

What is a Day in the Life of a Zookeeper?

Written by Fiona
Stonebridge - What is a Day in the Life of a Zookeeper?

As a zookeeper your time will be split between duties that cater to the needs of the animals, and those that enrich the visitor experience of paying customers. This brings diversity to the role, which is one of the main reasons so many people find it appealing.

As a zookeeper, one minute you could be creating games that provide stimulation and enrichment for the animals in your zone. Next, you could be improving animal welfare by raising awareness and educating the general public about conservation issues.

This wide ranging profession requires someone who is adaptable and confident working with both animals and people. Aside from the public, you’ll liaise with the broad network of professionals the zoos depend on. This can be anyone from zoological veterinarians to animal curators, conservation biologists, the zoos director or general curator.

The animals you work with will be equally as diverse. And most keepers will specialise in working with those in a particular section of the zoo. So, if you’re drawn to reptiles, birds, big cats or aquatic species, you can specialise your skills to care for them professionally.

If you’re interested in this career path, find out more by exploring a typical day in the life of a zookeeper below.

Stonebridge - A Day in the Life of a Zookeeper

Morning Meeting

A lot of zoos start their day with a morning meeting. This is usually led by your section curator or the manager of the zoo. It provides the opportunity to deliver news to the wider team, mention any updates, developments or challenges. This could be anything from discussing the plans for a new exhibit or providing health updates. Such as a pregnant animal.

The zoos vets can often attend these meetings to discuss the progress of animals who are receiving medical treatment. Keeping you up to speed with any additional duties you may need to perform for the animals in your area. Once the meeting is concluded, you’ll go about the rest of your day.

Animal Observation

You’ll need to monitor the animals in your section to make sure they are in good health. One of the best ways to do this is by going around each enclosure and observing their condition and behaviours. Oftentimes, health problems can be identified early as animals can show signs of discomfort. Or irritation with something that is bothering them.

Through daily observation, you can pick up on changes early on. Passing on details of any issues you may identify to the vet or section manager.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Another essential aspect of ensuring the health and welfare of animals in zoos is by cleaning and maintaining their enclosures. As a zookeeper, this will be a key part of your job and will often be performed early on in your day.

This typically includes removing animal waste, taking away uneaten food, changing dirty bed materials, hosing down and scrubbing enclosures. Pest control is also a big part of this maintenance, to ensure animals are free from irritants and anything that would otherwise cause them harm.

Security Checks

A typical follow on from maintenance is performing security checks on animal enclosures. This is a critical job for zookeepers and anyone else who enters the areas where animals live. You’ll need to go around each enclosure and make sure that gates and doorways are properly secured. This could also include checking fences and any other security barriers located in the area you work in.

Completing security processes is one of the most important duties of a zookeeper. As it ensures the safety of animals, zoo employees and visitors.

Feeding

Another significant job on your duties list will be preparing nutritious feed for the animals. You’ll follow the diet plans prescribed by the zoo’s vet and make sure animals get their required daily intake. This may require you to perform feeding duties multiple times a day and in various ways depending on the species.

Many animals benefit from the stimulation experienced from finding hidden food. So part of this task may involve hiding it or making their acquisition of it a challenge.

Stonebridge - Zookeeping Daily Duties

Enrichment

Similarly to hiding food, you’ll be responsible for providing stimulation and enrichment for animals through various means. This is hands-down one of the more enjoyable parts of your day. As you get to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing in creative ways. This could involve anything from designing games and activities that encourage animals to play, exercise and enjoy mental stimulation.

Visitor Experience

A big part of zookeeping is educating the zoo’s visitors about the conservation efforts of the zoo. Plus, the reasons why animal species and biodiversity are in decline and what individuals can do to better protect wildlife.

What you’ll be involved with will depend on the zoo you work in and the activities they provide. This could include guided tours for individuals, schools and groups, delivering presentations or conducting question and answer sessions.

On Call Assistance

For the most part, the hours you’ll work will be along the lines of a regular nine-to-five. However, you may be required to stay on call sometimes, in case a crisis or emergency arises. The animals in the zoo could have a health emergency outside of the zoos operating hours. And other problems could occur on the premise that require staff assistance. In these instances, you may need to head back to the zoo late into the evening. Or at any time of the night.

Research and Learning

With the diverse range of animals in your care, your learning as a zookeeper never really stops. Outside of your working hours, you may need to complete additional research and study. This can help you stay up to date with the latest zoology and animal-care related news and research. Learning more about the many species in your section can also help you provide better care and enrichment for them. So studying animal behaviour, biology, emotional nature, physiology and other similar aspects can become a large part of your work life.

Stonebridge - Zookeepers Continuing Learning and Research

Get Qualified Online

If the routine and duties of a zookeeper appeal to you, we can help you make this career move. We have online courses that will help you gain the desired knowledge and skills for a zookeeping career. And they can be studied where and when it suits you.

Our online Zookeeping Level 3 Diploma (RQF) expands your understanding of zookeeping. Teaching you how to care for large animals with complex needs in both zoos and safari settings.

The majority of the course is theory-based, so it is studied online and can be completed at your pace. There is also a practical element to the course which enables you to gain essential hands-on experience ahead of employment.

You’ll experience first-hand what it’s like working in a zoo. Which will help align you to roles as a zookeeper once you’re ready to look for paid positions. And since zookeeper roles are highly competitive, gaining a targeted vocational qualification will help you stand out against the crowd.

Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the leading UK distance learning providers. With many online courses to help you reach your career goals.

Find out more about our zookeeping diploma and how it will help your career by clicking the link below.

Stonebridge - Become a Zookeeper
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn


More from Zookeeping/Zoology

Become a Zookeeper Working as a Zookeeper

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Our Associations.

fld cma ncfe-logo abc awards asso. for coaching ccc mo ecdl fht ahha European Union Social Fund Logo BIIAB Innovate Awarding Open College Network West Midlands RFHP world fia nus cache vtct activeiq

What our customers think.

Trustpilot

Sign up to our Newsletter.

There's a whole lot happening at Stonebridge and in the world of learning. Sign up for our newsletter and you'll be among the first to know about it! All fields are required.

Stonebridge logo
Stonebridge Associated Colleges Limited is registered with the UK Register of Learning Providers: UK Provider Reference Number is 10006352.
Cookie policy | Data Protection and Privacy Statement Content and Images © Stonebridge Colleges. All rights reserved, 2021.
  • Community
  • Privacy Notice
  • Careers
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Distance Learning Courses
  • Home Learning Courses
  • Home Study Courses
  • Blog
  • Request Prospectus
  • FREE when you enrol
  • Refer a Friend
  • Information for USA Students
Chat with us