r/zoos • u/basic_human_writes • 10h ago
Discussion/Advice Questions for Zoo Workers
Hi! I'm a fiction writer working on a story set in a zoo, and the main character is a zoo worker. I'm wondering if someone here who works or has worked in a zoo could run me through a basic example of what their day could look like, the tasks they would have to complete (both the interesting interactions with animals, the mundane boring tasks, even gross tasks involved with working with animals). Any insight would be really appreciated! I'm so curious to find out more.
(Note: I would love any and all info, but I am especially interested in big cats if you have anything to say about them!)
Thanks in advance!
9
u/CrapMonsterDuchess 9h ago
I’m going to assume that you mean keeper staff rather than someone working at the gift shop or the snack bar, ha ha ha ha.
The schedule varies between facilities and depending on the animal, but usually it is go behind the scenes, check the locks, check on the animals whereabouts, check the locks again, do meal prep, call the animal into holding area, lock the animal in holding area, check the locks, engage in behavioral training sessions with the animal, check to make sure the exhibit is clear, check the locks, clean the exhibit, set out enrichment, check the locks, let the animal back out on exhibit, lock the animal on exhibit, check the locks, clean the holding area, check the locks, do yardwork, do a keeper talk, prep enrichment/meals for the next day, check the locks, move onto the next animal exhibit.
Depending on the animal and question, some form of this may be repeated in the afternoon as well.
4
u/hazel_razel 8h ago
Don’t forget to check the locks! I snap my fingers so I remember that I checked.
With big cats you often have pairs of keepers that do redundancy checks to double check the locks. Plus if you have to go into an empty enclosure you radio a supervisor when you’re in and out so they can keep tabs on your whereabouts.
2
u/QuillsAndQuills 5h ago edited 5h ago
Zookeeper at a large accredited institution. I dont work cats but I do work other dangerous species (apes).
The answer could be very long, but generally your day starts with a team meeting, then you go off to your sections. For dangerous animals you sign them off first thing, generally with at least 2 keepers, ensuring all animals are present and that relevant locks, electrics etc are secure.
Once you're sure the animals are accounted for, well and secure, you'll move on to basic husbandry tasks. Husbandry comes before anything else. Some animals might get a feed first thing while this is happening (eg primates do, cats might not). For dangerous species, you go into secure areas first and clean those. Then you rotate the animals where you need them to be (eg from night quarters onto an exhibit), sign them off, check the locks, then clean the next area.
For primates, when we clean areas we're also typically redressing and re-enriching those zones too - moving furniture, adding food items and novel stimuli, etc.
Typically, you'll have talks or tours that need to be factored into the day.
Your animals will generally view you as a mostly neutral presence, which is what we want. Zookeepers do not snuggle and cuddle the animals. I want them to see me, trust me, acknowledge I'm there, and then go about their day and ignore me. I'm not their best friend, I'm their room service. I don't trust any keeper who tries to coddle and handle and overly humanise the wild animals in their care - that typically isn't in the animal's best interest, and often leads to detrimental behaviours.
You're always keeping one eye on the group and watching for social interaction, and interpreting what's happening within the group. For primates this goes double as politics shift rapidly, and you may or may not need to redirect or intervene (or you may need to let it play out - lots of variables come into it).
You're interacting through the day with other departments - vets, horticulture, maintenance, volunteers, other sections, etc.
Vehicles are always on the absolute verge of death but somehow will not die until they're urgently needed.
Cable ties, Leathermans, carabiners, WD40 are the lifeblood of zookeepers. We will fight to the death over 10mm hex bits and metal-handled 40-50cm rakes (anything larger or wooden-handled can see me in Hell).
Experienced keepers and new keepers (especially 1-3yr keepers) are extremely different species of humans.
6
u/kpojman 9h ago
There are some great shows called "Secrets of the Zoo" on Disney+ and "The Zoo" on HBO that show the behind the scenes of several different zoos that could be of help to you!