Planit : Job Profiles : Zoo Keeper Work with Animals

Zoo keepers look after animals in zoos, wildlife parks and safari parks. They care for a diverse range of animals from large and dangerous to rare and exotic.

The Work

You could be:

cleaning enclosures and changing bedding
preparing food and feeding the animals
making sure animals live in as close to natural conditions as possible
checking animals for illness or injury and helping to treat them when they are not well
carrying out basic maintenance on animal enclosures to ensure the safety of animals and visitors
patrolling the park, making sure visitors are safe and the animals are not disturbed
helping to breed animals
responsible for a particular section of the zoo or park or for certain types of animals, such as primates or reptiles
answering questions from visitors and giving talks to schoolchildren and others.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

where you work
the size of company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.

Salaries for trainee zoo keepers at entry level are around £13,000 to £16,000 a year. Qualified keepers can earn around £16,000 to £20,000 a year, while senior keepers earn £18,000-£20,000 a year. Head keepers can earn up to £30,000 a year.

Conditions

You would work both indoors, sometimes in tropically heated enclosures, and outdoors, in all weather.
The work is physically hard – there is a lot of bending, stretching, lifting and carrying.
It can be dirty, smelly and noisy.
Some animals can be dangerous and there can be the risk of attack, although you would rarely come into direct contact with large exotic breeds, such as lions and rhinos.
You may have to work shifts, with early starts and late finishes, especially in summer when zoos and wildlife parks are open for longer.
Weekend work is normally necessary.
You may need to wear protective clothing, and a uniform may also be provided.

Workforce Employment Status

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Getting In

There can be a lot of competition for vacancies.
Previous experience of work with animals – voluntary work or a holiday job in a zoo, kennel, farm or stable – is important if not essential.
A good standard of general education is useful. Some employers may prefer you to have some subjects at National 4 or 5, especially English, Maths and science subjects.
You can take a full time college course before starting work. There are courses in animal care available at National Certificate (NC), Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels.
Entry requirements for an NC vary from no formal requirements up to 4 subjects at National 4 or 5. The HNC and HND require 1-2 Highers or an NC in animal care.
You may need a full, clean driving licence, particularly for a wildlife or safari park.
You need to be fit as there is a lot of standing, lifting and carrying.

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

Unemployment

Percentage of workforce registered as unemployed (Scotland)

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

Scotland

2018

7083

1.3 %

RISE

2023

7177

United Kingdom

2018

76091

0.4 %

RISE

2023

76424

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need to be:

dedicated
interested in animal welfare and conservation
confident about dealing with both large and small animals
reliable and responsible
safety conscious
observant
able to communicate with visitors, both children and adults, and to answer questions
physically fit
able to deal with unpleasant conditions and not be squeamish.

Training

You would normally train on the job alongside an experienced keeper.
This may be combined with part time attendance at college for a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) or an NC or HNC.
You may not need formal qualifications to enter the NC, but for the HNC you normally need 1-2 Highers or a relevant NC.
If you are on a Modern Apprenticeship, you would normally train for a relevant SVQ such as Animal Care Level 2 and 3 (SCQF Levels 5 and 6).
You could do a Foundation Degree in Zoo Management by part time study at Reaseheath College in Nantwich, Cheshire.
You could do the 2 year Diploma in Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals, offered by Sparsholt College (Hampshire) and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). This is distance learning, with a 5 day residence at Sparsholt College.

Getting On

In larger zoos and parks, there can be promotion opportunities to posts such as senior keeper or head keeper.
You could become specialised in looking after one kind of animal.
It can help if you are able to move around the country to gain wide experience.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.

Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK)
E-mail: info@abwak.org
Website: http://www.abwak.org
Twitter: @ABWAK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ABWAK/227825486277

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Tel: 020 7449 6599
E-mail: admin@biaza.org.uk
Website: http://www.biaza.org.uk
Twitter: @BIAZA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biazaofficial

College of Animal Welfare
Tel: 01480 422060
E-mail: admin@caw.ac.uk
Website: http://www.caw.ac.uk/
Twitter: @CAWInfo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAWInfo

The College of Animal Welfare specialises in veterinary nursing and animal care training. It operates from seven UK training centres, including the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School of Edinburgh University.

Lantra Scotland
Tel: 01738 310164
E-mail: scotland@lantra.co.uk
Website: http://www.lantra.co.uk/scotland
Twitter: @LantraScotland
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lantrascotland/

Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector.

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)
Tel: 0131 334 9171
E-mail: info@rzss.org.uk
Website: http://www.rzss.org.uk/
Twitter: @rzss
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RZSSofficial/

RZSS owns Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park.

Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Tel: 0344 225 1826
E-mail: info@zsl.org
Website: http://www.zsl.org
Twitter: @OfficialZSL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialzsl

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Planit

Zoo Keeper

The Work

Pay

Conditions

Getting In

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

What Does it Take?

Training

Getting On

Contacts

Career Area

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