Zoo Keeper Assistant: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Zoo Keeper Assistant
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Practice Now »What is a Zoo Keeper Assistant?
A Zoo Keeper Assistant in the UK works alongside zookeepers at zoos and similar establishments, helping to care for and maintain the well-being of a variety of animals. In this role, you will participate in daily tasks including feeding, enclosure maintenance, health monitoring, and assisting with behavioural training or enrichment activities for the animals.
Skills
- Knowledge of animal behavior and care
- Ability to follow safety protocols and procedures
- Physical fitness and ability to perform manual labor
- Communication skills for interacting with colleagues and visitors
- Attention to detail for monitoring animal health and behavior
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing work environments and schedules
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Basic computer skills for record keeping and data entry
- Customer service skills for interacting with visitors
- Willingness to learn and stay up-to-date on industry developments and best practices
Qualifications & Education
- Entry possible without formal academic qualifications
- Some employers may ask for GCSEs/S grades
- Vocational qualifications available:
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
Zookeeper assistants in the UK are responsible for tasks such as cleaning, feeding, watering, exercising, and training animals under the supervision of higher-ranking zookeepers.
The career progression for a zookeeper in the UK can include becoming a head keeper in larger zoos, or with a degree and/or significant industry experience, becoming a curator who designs animal enclosures and finds new animals from other zoos. Other options include working in education or conservation research.
A zookeeper assistant performs similar tasks to a zookeeper but works under the supervision of a head zookeeper or senior staff.
To be a zoo keeper in the UK, you may need qualifications in animal or zoo management, animal behaviour and welfare, zoology or marine zoology, animal conservation and biodiversity, veterinary science, or biology.
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