Two things are required to become an animal keeper in most zoos, wildlife parks, and conservation centers: education and experience. Historically, many people who worked in such facilities worked their way from the ground up, learning with experience and eventually attaining senior positions. Today, most facilities need a bachelor's degree at a minimum from someone who wants to become an animal keeper, and they may also require specialized training from their keepers, also sometimes known as animal attendants and animal caretakers.
The stiffer qualification requirement for animal keepers is a reflection of changing norms in zookeeping and the conservation community. Such facilities were originally typically kept for entertainment, and while there was a desire to keep the animals alive to maintain profitability, facilities were less interested in breeding programs, and were often not concerned if animals failed to thrive in captivity. In modern times, most animal keepers are interested in conservation; they want to keep their charges happy and healthy so that they will live long lives and have a potential to breed.
Someone who knows that he or she wants to become an animal keeper should get animal experience as early as possible. In high school, working for a veterinarian, farrier, animal shelter, or a willing zoological park will give someone experience being around animals and handling animals. In college, a would-be animal keeper should focus on degrees such as zoology, behavioral science, and related fields. Some colleges and universities actually specifically offer animal keeping programs, which are highly competitive but offer excellent training.
While in college, someone in training to become an animal keeper should plan on continuing to work with animals to get diverse experience. Opportunities available for college students include things like summer fieldwork with people who work with and study wild animals. After graduation, a student can pursue additional training, or apply to zoological parks as a beginning keeper. Initially, she or he will work under the supervision of an experienced keeper, but eventually it will usually be possible to enter a more senior position.
Animal keeping is hard work. Someone who wants to become an animal keeper needs to be physically fit, willing to work at odd hours, and patient. The best animal keepers develop relationships with their charges and may stay with them for life. A keeper who knows an animal well can identify early signs of disease and unhappiness, and may also be involved in research, using daily experiences with animal charges to contribute to the body of knowledge on animal keeping.
