An entry · Work · Life
Zookeeper
The person an elephant trusts, standing in for a whole wild world we took it from.
Why the human is the point
A zookeeper is a full-time advocate for animals that cannot ask for anything. They learn each creature's moods and needs, notice the one that is off its food before a vet would, and stand in for the wild we removed it from, hour after unglamorous hour of feeding, cleaning, and enrichment. It is care and judgment on behalf of the voiceless, and increasingly, conservation of what is nearly gone. No automated feeder loves an animal back. A keeper does, and the animal knows them.
Work it
Do the work.
Jobs, apprenticeships, and training that put a person in the room.
Ways in
- Route in
Zoology or animal science
The academic foundation for keeping and conservation work.
- Volunteer
Volunteer or intern at a zoo
Hands-on animal care is where nearly every keeper starts.
- Entry job
Keeper traineeship
Zoos run structured entry roles into the profession.
Ways in, gathered by hand.
Add yours to the atlasLive it
Live the hour.
Experiences, classes, and places where the presence is the whole point.
On now
- Visit
Behind-the-scenes animal experience
San Diego Zoo · San Diego, CA
Get close to the animals and the keepers who care for them on a behind-the-scenes experience.
- Booking
Wild Encounters behind-the-scenes experiences
Bronx Zoo · Bronx, NY
Up-close encounters where keepers walk you through their work with the zoo's animals in person or virtually.
Ways in
- Visit
Keeper-for-a-day
Many zoos let you shadow a keeper and help with the round.
- Gathering
Animal encounter or talk
Keeper talks reveal the animals and the work behind them.
Ways in, gathered by hand.
Add yours to the atlasKept nearby
