Where to Get Education and the Training to Required Become a Zoo Keeper

Growing up in the Maryland, Leah visited the giant panda at the National Zoo dozens of times after his birth in 2005 until he left permanently for China in 2010. When it was time to think of college, she announced that she had already picked out a career. For several years, she had been gathering information on the education and training requirements to become a zoo keeper.

What is a Zookeeper?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a zookeeper assists in caring for animals in a zoo in a variety of ways. Depending on the zoo, he or she might work with a limited group of animals like primates or a broader group such as reptiles.

Zoo keepers perform a range of duties. Beyond daily cleaning and maintenance of animal enclosures and feeding animals, they need to be able to perceive even slight changes in animal physical or psychological patterns. Many work on research projects at their zoos and often serve as public relations representatives, the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc (AAKZ). reports.

Education and Training Requirements

One of the most frustrating things for a prospective zoo keeper is figuring out how to gain the experience and training required for the profession. This is because requirements vary from one zoo to another.

In general, applicants for an entry-level position often need a college degree, according to the AAKZ. Typical majors are zoology, biology or an animal-related concentration. Most zoos insist on prior experience, a stumbling block for many college students interested in this career.

Zoos encourage individuals interested in becoming keepers to gain experience by volunteering, if necessary, the San Diego Zoo says. Other types of helpful experience include working at a veterinary office, a humane society or park service, horse boarding or stable facilities, animal shelters or wildlife rehabilitation centers. Participating in 4-H, working with pet breeders and helping on a farm for domestic animals all provide experience most zoos welcome.

Where to Get Formal Training

Individuals interested in programs that teach students to become zoo keepers or trainers have a choice of associate or bachelor's degree programs.

Associate degrees. Three colleges currently offer applicable degrees:

Moorpark College is in Moorpark, California. Its Exotic Animal Training and Management Program features a Teaching Zoo.

Pensacola Junior College opened its Zoo Animal Technology program in 2008. It is in Pensacola, Florida.

Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida has a Teaching zoo as part of its Zoo Animal Technology Program.

Bachelor's degrees. A bachelor's degree in zoo and animal science is offered by four U.S. colleges:

Friends University offers a B.S. in Zoo Science. Students work at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas.

Michigan State University is in East Lansing, Michigan. It offers a B.S. in Animal Science. In addition, students in the College of Veterinary Medicine regularly visit zoos as part of their training.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is in the city of the same name. Its Animal Science department has an agreement with the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program at Moorpark College for training of students at both schools. Cal Poly students can carea a career elective area to study zoo and exotic animals.

The University of California, Davis offers majors in Animal Science, Animal Science & Management, Animal Biology and Avian Sciences.

Many zoo keepers are also registered veterinary technicians (RVTs). They have completed an animal health technician program at schools such as Colorado Mountain College (Glenwood Springs, Colorado), Pierce College (Woodland Hills, California), Quinnipiac University (Hamden, Connecticut) and San Diego Mesa College (San Diego, California).

Sources:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos168.htm

http://aazk.org/zoo_career.php

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/jobs/keeper_faq.html