What do zookeepers do?

If you have visited a zoo or aquarium, you have probably seen someone either feeding animals or cleaning an animal habitat. These people are zookeepers and play a very large and important role in caring for the animals at the zoo.

Zookeepers do much more than just feed the animals. They are the caretakers of the animals at the zoo. Whether it be feeding, cleaning, or a check up from the vet, the zookeeper is a part of it all. They do different exercises with the animals so while the animal is having fun and getting treats, the zookeeper gets to check things such as their teeth, their ability to move, and depending on the animal their flippers, wings, or legs. The zookeeper is also in charge of getting the animal prepared to have shots from the vet because animals, like most humans, do not like getting shots from their doctor.

The zookeepers don’t only work with the animals either, they also get to work with zoo visitors, like you. Zookeepers work to educate zoo visitors about the animal, their diet, and their natural habitats. Zookeepers play a very large role in animal care and the zoos would not be able to function without them.