Zookeepers are concerned with the welfare of animals kept in zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums and other animal attractions. 

Being a zookeeper can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding career paths. With its huge range of responsibilities - including care, observation and training of animals - being a zookeeper has you familiarising yourself with the vast animal kingdom through a demanding job that requires the utmost dedication. It's beneficial to understand the responsibilities and inner workings of zookeeping before journeying down that specific career path. In this article, we explore not only what a zookeeper does, but explain the main responsibilities, provide an idea of what to expect and detail some essential skills.

Although not exclusively a graduate profession, keepers are increasingly qualified to degree level, and often to postgraduate level.

A degree in zoology is the most direct route into this career but a degree in a life science or animal-related subject can also be advantageous. 

University 

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• animal or zoo management

• animal behaviour and welfare

• zoology or marine zoology

• animal conservation and biodiversity

• veterinary science

• biology

Zoos vary in what qualifications they ask for and it can depend on what their zookeepers are going to do.

Several universities offer specific postgraduate courses in zoo conservation or zoo biology which can give applicants an edge in a fiercely competitive profession.

Apprenticeships/ college courses

You could do a course before applying to a zoo for a trainee zookeeper's job. Relevant courses include:

• Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management

• Level 3 Diploma in Animal Care or Animal Science

• Biology A level

• T Level in Animal Care and Management

Chester Zoo

Apprenticeship opportunity example: https://www.chesterzoo.org/news/were-launching-our-first-ever-animal-apprenticeship-scheme/

Courses : https://www.chesterzoo.org/what-we-do/conservation-training-academy/

In Britain there are about 350 zoos, safari parks, bird gardens and aquaria open to the public.

Employers include:

• animal collections within other family attractions such as theme parks

• aquariums

• bird gardens and birds of prey centres

• city farms

• city zoos

• game reserves - found in America, Australia and Africa; job roles for these have much in common with keeper roles but usually include acting as a tour guide for visitors

• open-range countryside zoos or safari parks

• petting zoos - designed for children to feed and pet gentle domesticated animals

• private animal collections - these are usually owned by wealthy individuals and celebrities who recruit keepers

• wildlife parks and sanctuaries.

For all zoo's in the UK click here : https://www.great-days-out.co.uk/animal-wildlife-parks/zoos/