What does it take to become an Animal Keeper?

As we most frequently get asked questions about Animal Keeping vacancies, the following information may help you get an idea of “what it takes” to become a keeper.

Mammal, Bird, Reptile and Aquarium Keeping Staff at Chester

Our Zoo Keeping staff have come from a variety of backgrounds, both practical (e.g. farming) and academic. Some have come to us straight from college/university, some have worked already as Keepers with other Zoos, and a few have worked in other jobs before changing career. What all of them had before they joined is a good knowledge of animals and at least some experience of working with wild animals. This experience may have been gained through several periods of work experience, or a continuous period of work experience from the practical element of the Zoo Animal Management course (see Qualifications below)

Animal Keeping is not always a glamorous job – it can be cold, dirty and smelly, and no fun at all at 8.00 a.m. on a cold winter’s morning! You need to be able to stand up to hard physical work in many areas, and be prepared to work long hours if nursing sick animals or helping with animal movements. Hours of work at Chester are from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, working five days in a seven day roster. Alternate weekends must be worked, and Bank Holidays as rostered.

Qualifications

Chester Zoo asks its Keepers to have the Diploma in Zoo Animal Management, or equivalent. A lot of other UK and Eire Zoos also ask for this qualification. At trainee level, we look for 4 or 5 good GCSEs including English and Sciences. This is because the job of a keeper is not just about looking after the physical needs of animals – very often keepers write articles for magazines, or help with TAGs (Taxon Advisory Groups) that manage captive animal breeding programmes. Increasingly, animal records are being kept on computer, and staff are keeping records on specialist or customised databases.

We only have a small number of jobs directly involved in research and conservation (our Research and Conservation Officers and their Assistants). The Assistant positions require a biological-related Bachelor's degree with Honours as a minimum. Specific postgraduate qualifications would be necessary at Research Officer, Conservation Officer and at Curatorial levels.

Useful Skills and Certification

A full driving license, tractor license, chain saw license, gun license, First Aid at Work certification, and writing skills e.g. publication of articles in magazines or journals, are all useful.

How do I improve my chances of being taken on?

Most Zoo's like to attract candidates who can offer a good range of experience. Just imagine how many people, of all ages, would like to work with animals? What can improve your chances is to have dealt with a range of large and small wild animals, and to have kept your knowledge up to date by reading widely and taking part in special interest groups.

For herpetology and aquarium work, an in depth knowledge is looked for - this could be gained by someone having a very good private collection, or from experience in a job elsewhere.

At the present time, the vacancies that arise in Keeping at Chester Zoo are usually due to other staff leaving or having a break for studying at college. If we lose experienced staff we may decide to try to replace that experience with someone who has similar, or greater experience to offer. If this is the case, our advertisement will state that we are looking for approximately three to four years experience of working with exotic species.

How do you get the experience employers ask for?

Think small as well as big when you apply to places. Local wildlife trusts, animal sanctuaries, voluntary organisations such as RSPCA, RSPB, farms, countryside parks, children’s farms in municipal parks, pet shops. If you can’t get in with the bigger organisations straight away, try to work your way up. It will show that you are keen and serious about a career working with animals. We would also expect you to keep your knowledge up to date, with lots of reading and joining special interest societies in your chosen field, such as ABWAK .