Over time, I have known many professional zookeepers. Some have remained, while others quickly realized the job is not what they thought it would be. At every institution I have worked at, the zoo receives the highest number of applications compared to all other roles within the organization. On the surface, zookeeping seems like the coolest job anyone could ever imagine; just hanging out with those animals all day long and getting paid to do it. Well, like anything else if it was that easy, everyone would be doing it.

Since I began, over 37 years ago, the business has changed a lot. Once, a male-dominated field, it has evolved to a female-dominant field as the methods of managing animals changed. Previously, zookeeping required a more physical staff as it was much more hands-on. In the early 1990s with the introduction of operant conditioning training into elephant programs, a new tool was added to the toolbox and spread like wildfire as zoos discovered the benefits of utilizing this training method with all species and in all settings. Female zoo staff were now on an even playing field and thrived in this new environment. Zoo managers came to recognize that while this tool can’t cover every situation, it provides greater safety for the staff, reduces stress on the animals, and provides greater veterinary care with much less risk to the animals.

With that said, zookeeping is still a very physical job, as anyone who has worked the position can attest. Animal care is a 7-day a week, 365-days a year job that really knows no hours; and in weather no one can really predict. There are no true holidays, as the animals depend on their zookeeper for all their needs. The day is spent cleaning enclosures and night quarters, preparing daily diets and in some cases hand-feeding individuals, creating and offering enrichment to enhance the animals’ day, spending time to train with individual animals, and securing animals at the end of the day. With all this, they still make time to participate in various conservation efforts, assist guests and perform programs, research animals, and look for ways to improve the lives of the animals. Most love what they do, but the comment I have heard most from those that have left the field is they never realized how much stress they felt until they were no longer working.

It is highly stressful trying to do the best for each animal every day. There are highs, such as the birth of the tiger cubs, but then there are lows when dealing with the loss of an animal. The job can take a lot out of a person physically and emotionally, but those dedicated individuals come to terms with the day-to-day struggles for the sake of the animals counting on them to be there when they are in need. The folks that proudly rise to the challenge and brave extreme weather conditions, accepting the risks of working around dangerous animals, and don’t mind going home smelling a bit different from most, passionately do so, because they are zookeepers.