High School

Take as many science classes while in high school as possible. A broad-based science education including courses in biology, ecology, chemistry, physics, and botany, coupled with mathematics and computer science, will be helpful. Courses in English and speech develop will help you develop your vocabulary and hone your public speaking skills.

Postsecondary Training

Most entry-level positions require at least an associate's degree. Many zookeepers earn a four-year college degree. Animal management has become a highly technical and specialized field. Zookeepers do much more than care for animals' bodily comforts: Many of today's zookeepers are trained zoologists. They must be able to perform detailed behavioral observations, record keeping, nutrition studies, and health care. Their increased responsibilities make their role an essential one in maintaining a healthy animal collection.

Degrees in animal science, zoology, biology, marine biology, conservation biology, wildlife management, and animal behavior are preferred. Electives are just as important, particularly writing, public speaking, computer science, education, and even foreign languages. Applicants with interdisciplinary training sometimes have an advantage. A few colleges and junior colleges offer a specialized curriculum for zookeepers. Those seeking advancement to curatorial, research, or conservation positions may need a master's degree. Animal care experience such as zoo volunteer, farm or ranch worker, or veterinary hospital worker is a must.

Smaller zoos may hire keeper trainees, who receive on-the-job training to learn the responsibilities of the zookeeper. Several major zoos offer formal keeper training courses, as well as on-the-job training programs, to students who are studying areas related to animal science and care. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums provides information about which schools and animal facilities are involved in internship programs. Such programs could lead to full-time positions.

Many institutions offer unpaid internships for high school and college students interested in investigating a career in animal care. Internships may involve food preparation, hands-on experience with the animal collection, interpretive services for the public, exhibit design and construction, or the collection and analysis of data. The length of the internships varies. The minimum age for most of these programs is 18.

Visit https://www.aazk.org/zoo-keeping-as-a-career for a list of postsecondary training programs for aspiring zoo keeping professionals. 

Other Education or Training

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) offers professional training courses such as “Best Practices in Animal Keeping,” “Creating Successful Exhibits,” and “Crocodilian Biology and Captive Management.” Contact the AZA for more information. 

Certification or Licensing

There are no certification or licensing requirements for zookeepers.

Previous experience as a keeper trainer and/or a degree in a zoology-related field are required to become a zookeeper. Zookeepers must first and foremost have a fondness and empathy for animals. The work of the zookeeper is not glamorous. It takes a special kind of dedication to provide care to captive animals that require attention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Keepers need excellent interpersonal skills to work together and to interact with visitors and volunteers. Strong oral and written communication skills are also required. They should be detail-oriented and enjoy paperwork and record keeping.

They must be able to work well independently and as part of a team. Keepers rely on each other to get their jobs done safely. A calm, stable nature, maturity, good judgment, and the ability to adhere to established animal handling and/or safety procedures is essential. Being in a bad mood can interfere with concentration, endangering the keeper and coworkers.

Keepers must have keen powers of observation and, due to the physical demands of the job, keepers must be physically fit. Psychological fitness is important too. Zookeepers have to be able to handle the emotional impact when animals with which they have built a relationship go to another institution or die. They cannot be squeamish about handling body wastes or live food items or dealing with sick animals.