Want to be a zookeeper?

So you want to be a zookeeper? Here's some advice to get you started on your career!
If you have any questions or want any advice, comment below and I'll get back to you!
Footage filmed on location
Paradise Wildlife Park: www.pwpark.com/
Additional Reading
BIAZA offer a variety of information on gaining entry into the industry as well as the different roles within it. In particular the career guide available as a PDF at the bottom of this page.
biaza.org.uk/careers

[@indyduinmeijer6435]

Very true video! I just got my second job in a zoo! I volunteered for two years, and have two degrees. I got my first entry level keeping job almost 3 years ago and it was seasonal fulltime and on weekends. Besides the volunteering I spent all my free time studying animals, birds specifically, and building a network! Now at the end of my second degree I got recommended to a birds specialized zoo(birds are also my speciality) by someone from my network, and they offered me a fulltime job! For now seasonal fulltime with the option to get picked to stay year round. It’s such a hard workfield to get into but so worth the hard work and dedication!

[@zooblether]

Yes! Keep at it, that’s great going!

[@OfficialShrekVR]

My dream is to become a zookeeper since I am a animal lover and if I was a keeper I’d like looking after anything but I’m still young, that’s why it’s my dream to become a zookeeper.

[@zooblether]

You’re exactly where almost all keepers started! Keep working hard and take opportunities as they come! Good luck

[@definitlynotbenlente7671]

I am in training to be a zookeeper

[@macaulaycottphotos]

Hello there! I very recently stumbled on your channel, and wanted to see if you had any advice for me. I begin a Level 3 Animal Management course in September, and I'm beginning to worry about where to go for my work placement (supposedly in February 2024). I'm not entirely sure that I'd be able to drive by then, and my closest zoo is just over an hour away, and rarely offers placements anyway. I'm also beginning to think about where to go after college. The idea of a gap year for volunteering before a degree in a related field appeals to me, but I'm not entirely sure if that would be the best idea. I love the videos so much, and I look forward to seeing more, particularly the one you mentioned on education etc. Have a fantastic day, and I hope this channel blows up as much as it should soon!

[@zooblether]

Hey Macaulay! Congrats on starting your course soon! Depending on where your going they may be able to assist in where students have gone before. It would also depend on how long a placement you need whether or not a lot of zoos would be willing to take you. Most places will have a set commitment they expect placement students to make which may be more than you require. Without the ability to travel your options will be limited. But it’s worth noting that any experience working with animals will be beneficial and unlikely to discount you from jobs moving forward. As for after your level 3, probably wait and see. There’s some ongoing changes in regards to the apprenticeship scheme which are relatively recent, and depending on how those develop and are used by the industry they may end up being a viable option. Keep an eye on job postings and you should be able to get a feel for whether they are becoming more common place. Thanks for your kind words 👍

[@The-cheerleaders]

I volunteer at a reptile zoo I have been working with reptiles for over three years

[@zooblether]

Cool! It’s where most of us started, Keep at it!

[@Andyb-rw6lo]

I actually just applied at my local zoo I don’t have any degrees in animal science or animal biology But I do have experience with maintenance and construction. I have welding certifications. So I applied for a maintenance position Anyways, long story short I have my third interview coming up soon I’m so looking forward to this opportunity and I hope I get the job It would truly be a dream 😎

[@zooblether]

Love this. Know a few people who have spent their entire career in “non-animal based” roles within zoos. Arguably working as part of the system can be just as rewarding as working directly with the animals you are passionate about! Good luck with you future job roles!

[@Andyb-rw6lo]

@@zooblether Thanks so much for your reply I’m so excited…I can’t quite thinking about it 😂

[@zooblether]

Have you had your third interview? It’s a weird one. As a keeper I often saw certain roles as animal related, ie education people clearly passionate about animals. It wasn’t until I spoke to a 50 odd year old about their career in maintenance at a zoo and they enthused about the difference they made in the lives of animals that I realised how all encompassing this industry can be!

[@Andyb-rw6lo]

@@zooblether No not yet my 3rd interview is coming up on Tuesday But yes so many different roles one can play in this field Everything from exhibit design to horticulture and everything in between that can be so rewarding Oh what do you mean by weird one? Are there typically three interviews?

[@zooblether]

No I meant more that it’s weird I never considered “every” role in a zoo having people who felt the same about doing their bit for animals! Good luck on Tuesday!

[@yuto9488]

Hiya I'm just wondering when the video all about education will be out. Because I am doing my gcses at the moment and I'm not sure about how I want to progress. I think I want to complete a level 3 animal management degree

[@zooblether]

Hi Yuto, to be honest that's on the back burner for a while. A level 3 is certainly a good direction, especially if you are fairly set on zookeeping and are able to attain practical skills during your course. The benefit of researching different colleges is how focussed these courses are, ie. specifically zoo based, or a variety, as I know a number of people with diplomas who moved to different areas of the animal world after deciding zoos weren't for them. Something to keep an eye on is also whether or not apprenticeships start being advertised again probably within the first few 6 months of 2024, and what the entry requirements for those are. Formal paid apprenticeships are a relatively new development for UK zoos, but will get you practical paid experience (at apprentice wage). It will be interesting to see in the next year how they play out though, whether zoos will retain their apprentices as paid staff, or whether they will be replaced by another cohort of apprentices. Sorry I can't be of more help!

[@yuto9488]

@@zooblether thankyou so much for your help. In your opinion what do you think the better option would be an apprenticeship or to study at a collage?

[@zooblether]

That question is a big reason why I haven’t released a further video. The reality is every college is offering something slightly different in terms of what you will take away and differs for each student. Whether practical skills, the knowledge that keeping isn’t for you, small experience into something you haven’t even considered, a better idea of what role (keeper, education department etc.) you may want to pursue. The industry is also not “strict” on how you get in. It’s not like I need to do a law degree to be a lawyer. I know keepers who’ve done bachelors degrees in zoology/biology and better keepers who studied English, I know keepers who did animal management and those who studied horticulture. A level 3 animal management degree is certainly more focused but leaves you with options if you decide it’s not for you. From the zoo side, each zoo is different in regards to their requirements. Most, if not all, require experience. I’ve seen multiple hiring managers (senior keepers, animal managers etc.) state that they don’t really consider the education part of a CV. And that opinion, which results in people getting jobs, would either sway you towards an animal management course with practical experience, an apprenticeship, or something else alongside volunteering. In the ten years or so since I started my zoo career, there are a lot more options for animal management degrees, and as such, a large number of graduates each year. So for you it’s a very personal decision. The development of apprenticeships is relatively new, and a lot of people may see a benefit in learning while being paid over learning and then moving onto a career. So I would assume that they will be highly sought after. I’d advise properly researching colleges you’re considering/are available. Go and visit them, or at the very least get in contact and on a call with admissions staff to thoroughly understand what the course entails. Get a thorough understanding of what’s on offer. Not simply I do this for a few years then become a keeper, but what can I gain/do within those two years. I made the “mistake” of going to university then when all was finished, sort of looked around and realised I’d been in an education process of primary school, high school, university and then was completely lost. Discuss the options with parents/family. And keep half an eye on the BIAZA website. If apprenticeships pop up it certainly wouldn’t hurt to apply if that’s what you want, and then if offered you can consider your options further.