What skills does a zookeeper need?

A zookeeper needs 27 essential skills including signs of animal illness, animal nutrition, animal evolution, animal welfare, applied zoology. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace zookeeper jobs?

The AI disruption score for zookeeper is 13/100 (very low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Social ServicePersonal service workersISCO 5164

zookeeper

Zookeepers manage animals that are kept in captivity for conservation, education, research and/or to be displayed to the public. They are usually responsible for the feeding and the daily care and welfare of the animals. As a part of their routine, zookeepers clean the exhibits and report possible health problems. They may also be involved in particular scientific research or public education, such as conducting guided tours and answering questions.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (27)

signs of animal illnesssigns of animal illnessPhysical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.animal nutritionanimal nutritionAspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.animal evolutionanimal evolutionThe evolutionary history of animals and the development of species and their behaviour through domestication.animal welfareanimal welfareUniversally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behav...applied zoologyapplied zoologyThe science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.assess management of animalsassess management of animalsEvaluate the management of a wide range of animals including the care, welfare and housing environment of animals in a zoo, wildlife park, stable, farm or animal research facility.control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.assist in general veterinary medical proceduresassist in general veterinary medical proceduresAssist veterinarians by preparing both the animal and the equipment for medical procedures, and providing care and support to the animal undergoing a medical procedure.manage animal biosecuritymanage animal biosecurityPlan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working ...provide nutrition to animalsprovide nutrition to animalsProvide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.'.provide an enriching environment for animalsprovide an enriching environment for animalsProvide an enriching environment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, and including adjusting environmental conditions, delivering feeding and puzzle exercises, and implementing m...assess animal nutritionassess animal nutritionAssess the nutrition status of animals, diagnose dietary imbalances and prescribe correction.maintain equipmentmaintain equipmentRegularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.assist in transportation of animalsassist in transportation of animalsAssist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transpor...provide first aid to animalsprovide first aid to animalsAdminister emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians ...follow zoo safety precautionsfollow zoo safety precautionsFollow the zoo safety rules and regulations in order to ensure a safe working environment while working with the zoo animals, and to ensure the safety of zoo visitors.assess environment of animalsassess environment of animalsEvaluate the domain of the animal including the quantification of ventilation, space and living quarters and measure them against the "five freedoms": freedom from hunger or thirst, freedom from disco...maintain professional recordsmaintain professional recordsProduce and maintain records of work performed.maintain animal accommodation hygienicmaintain animal accommodation hygienicMake sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.apply animal hygiene practicesapply animal hygiene practicesPlan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals,...care for juvenile animalscare for juvenile animalsAssess the needs of the offspring and juvenile animals. Take appropriate action without delay in case of problems with the health of the offspring or juvenile.monitor the welfare of animalsmonitor the welfare of animalsMonitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of...assess animal behaviourassess animal behaviourObserve and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'.breed reptilesbreed reptilesPrepare a suitable environment for reptile breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate terrariums for specific kinds of reptiles. Monitor the reptile's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. I...administer drugs to facilitate breedingadminister drugs to facilitate breedingAdminister specific drugs for synchronisation of breeding cycles to animals in accordance with veterinary and owner instructions. This includes the safe use and storage of drugs and equipment and reco...promote animal welfarepromote animal welfarePromote good practice and work with compassion to sustain and promote high standards of animal welfare at all times by adapting personal behaviour and managing environmental factors.administer treatment to animalsadminister treatment to animalsAdminister animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.'.

Optional (6)

design training programmes for animalsdesign training programmes for animalsAssess the training needs of the animal and select appropriate methods and activities to meet training objectives.conduct ecological researchconduct ecological researchConduct ecological and biological research in a field, under controlled conditions and using scientific methods and equipment.educate people about natureeducate people about natureSpeak to a variety of audiences about e.g. information, concepts, theories and/or activities related to nature and its conservation. Produce written information. This information may be presented in a...train livestock and captive animalstrain livestock and captive animalsTrain animals to facilitate their routine husbandry, for treatment, and/or public demonstrations.speak about your work in publicspeak about your work in publicSpeak about your work to different kinds of audiences. Illustrate aspects depending on the audience and the occasion.groom animalsgroom animalsPrepare the environment for grooming, select the correct grooming equipment and grooming methods for the animal. Apply occupational health and safety principles, of basic animal anatomy and physiology...