Becoming a Zoo Keeper
Click on a link below to find out more information on becoming a zoo keeper:
Aged 15-17? Want to work with animals? Perth Zoo runs a one-day workshop through the April and October school holidays called
Into Wildlife, specifically suited to secondary students aged 15 years or older who are considering a career working with wildlife. The program provides insight into different career pathways while offering participants opportunities for up close encounters with animals.
What’s Involved?
This is probably our most asked about career opportunity. In Western Australia there are very few Zoo keeper positions available. These positions are highly sought after and competition is very strong.
Zoo keepers contribute to providing the highest possible level of health care, welfare, husbandry, species management and exhibit design for the animals under their care. This enables Perth Zoo to achieve its operational and strategic objectives to provide a living example of natural habitats, collection planning and species management that reflect world priorities in conservation.
Broadly, a keeper’s daily duties include the care and maintenance of animals and exhibits. This involves regular raking, hosing, sweeping, scrubbing of enclosures and the preparation of food.
Other daily duties require keepers to maintain detailed animal records, administer treatments under veterinary supervision, make detailed observations of their charges, assist in the capture and restraint of animals and communicate with the Zoo’s visitors.
Employment Conditions
Perth Zoo has a commitment to ensuring staff have the opportunity for professional development and encourages ‘life-long learning’. All keepers have access to a career path, often starting as a trainee before progressing through different levels, which may include Senior Keeper, Supervisor, Curator, Director or who knows one day possibly CEO.
Our zoo keepers work a 40-hour week, generally eight hours per day, somewhere between the hours of 6:00am and 6:00pm with a rostered day off each month. They work regularly rostered weekends and wages are paid under the Zoo’s General Agreement and Award System.
Necessary Qualifications
Successful candidates for a zoo keeper position will be able to demonstrate they meet the following criteria.
Essential:
- Experience in the captive husbandry and management of animals in a zoo or similar environment.
- Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety issues associated with a zoo or similar environment.
- Ability to express ideas and information effectively both verbally and in writing, including public speaking and observing and reporting animal behaviour.
- Interpersonal skills and a proven capacity to work with others in a small team and with limited supervision.
Desirable:
- Certificate III in Zoo Keeping or Captive Animals or a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent zoo-keeping experience.
- Knowledge of Australian animals, their biology and major ecological threats.
A few tips on how to gain the necessary qualifications and experience
- Study Biology or Human Biology in Year 11 and 12
- Study in the Biological Sciences at University, eg:
- Become a wildlife volunteer with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) or at a wildlife rehabilitation centre – such as ARCS, Kanyana or the Fauna Rehabilitation Foundation.
- Work at a fauna park, pet store, horse stable or vet surgery to gain experience in working with animals.
Job Prospects
In Western Australia there are very few keeper positions available. There are around 50 positions at Perth Zoo and they are highly prized and competitive. Keeper vacancies do occasionally become available and these are advertised on the Government website at www.jobs.wa.gov.au and in the Government Appointments section of Saturday’s The West Australian newspaper. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on the Current Vacancies section of Perth Zoo’s website.
Related Careers and Links
Perth Zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)and the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks & Aquaria (ARAZPA) and as such is a part of international, regional and local breeding and conservation programs to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity.
