Zookeepers or nature conservators in a zoo are responsible for the well-being of the animals. This includes monitoring their physical health and managing their breeding in conjunction with the zoo veterinarian, and keeping their cages and camps clean, tidy, attractive and visitor-friendly. They also educate the public regarding animals and conservation.
The most important task of zookeepers is the physical care of the animals. This includes feeding the animals and ensuring that they stay healthy. Caged animals are at the mercy of their keepers and it takes someone with a kind heart to be able to understand their needs. They may be also responsible for supervising other attendants and workers.
They must also spot and report illnesses and injuries to the veterinarian immediately, and assist in immobilising, capturing and transporting animals whenever necessary. They need to ensure that breeding programmes are scientifically correct. They may also be required to continually research their subjects, by gathering data and monitoring animals and to stay abreast of the latest developments.
The zookeeper works indoors and outdoors and must be willing to work long and irregular hours.
How to Enter
Schooling & School Subjects
- National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
- National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution has its own entry requirements.
Compulsory School Subjects
Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences
Recommended School Subjects
No Recommended Subjects
What to Study
Degree: BSc with Zoology as major – all universities.
Diploma: N.Dip: Nature Conservation – e.g. CPUT, TUT, NMMU, UNISA. The course takes 3 years to complete, of which 1 year is in-service training at an approved institution.
Employment
- zoos
- aquariums
- bird parks
- National Parks Board
- private game farms
- local authorities
Further Information
National Zoological Society of SA
www.zssa.co.za
Head of Human Resources
The National Zoo of South Africa
P O Box 754
Pretoria, 0001
Nature and Environmental Conservation
Private Bag X 209
Pretoria, 0001
The National Parks Board
P O Box 787
Pretoria, 0001
643 Leyds Street
Muckleneuk
Tel: (012) 428-9111 Fax: (012) 426-5500
www.sanparks.org
Getting Started
- do volunteer work for nature conservation bodies
- try to get a holiday job on a game or other farm looking after livestock
- obtain more information from the National Parks Board
- arrange to speak to a zookeeper about career