Looking for a bit of advice from a zoologist/zookeeper please =)

Hello all, I am new to this site, and this forum, so I apologize in advance if this has been asked before.

I am currently at a standstill in my life. For many years I have wanted to
become a zoologist (zookeeper) but haven't had the time to devote to it. Now I have the time, and would like to.

The questions I have are as follows:

Typically how long does one study to become certified?

How hard are jobs to find?

How much, on average, does tuition cost?


I am hoping to become certified in the avian, or possibly canine division (if
there even are divisions for this). Also I currently live in Hawaii if that holds any bearing.

Thanks in advance for any information

 

Working in the zoo field is indeed very rewarding. As with many other fields, every zoo has different hiring requirements. Some ask for a 4 year degree, some require no schooling. Having volunteer experience can sometimes substitute for a degree. Zoos are arranged in various manners. Some places have bird keepers, carnivore keepers, cat keepers, etc. Others are arranged zoogeographically, with Australia keepers, Indonesia keepers, Africa keepers, working with a number of different species. Finding a job can be tricky. It is a very competitive field. I know there is a zoo in Honolulu, but have no idea what prospects are for employment there. You might try looking at their website to see if there is any employment information available. As for tuition costs--I would imagine it would vary widely, depending upon the schools involved. You might try looking at the AAZK website archives--there are several discussions there. AAZK, Welcome

 

The most important thing is to realise that zoology and zoo keeping are completely different. Zoology is the study of animals, it is a research based position. If you want to be a zoo keeper than you will need to do a captive management course, either TAFE or uni.

Do you want to be a researcher or a zoo keeper?

 

I was actually striving for a bit of both, focusing on the conservation aspect and reintroduction of captive bred native Hawaiian birds.

 

Hello,

Warm welcome on 1st of April!

To answer your question seriously. There is an institution captive breeding Hawaiian birds. If you are so focused, google and call them, and tell of your interest. You might e.g. ask about volunteering, or getting for a trip to the field with some ornithologist. Other option are these few zoos which exist in Hawaii (Honolulu zoo, Waikiki Aquarium... what else?).

Zoologist (scientist studying birds), field biologist (highly skilled bird listener and technician) and zookeeper (somebody caring for animals) are very different jobs. What they have in common that it is a passion and a skill more than a job. In the bird field, it is most important to know (and others know) that you like birds and will learn. Are you a birdwatcher or cage bird enthusiast?

Zoology studies require M.Sc. in biology or veterinary science. Zookeeeping or technical field research - some institutions require formal training, others not.

I'm not sure what experience you have with animals. Perhaps it is worth telling, that lots of people think this is a dream job, but it is not. Most people become disillusioned. If you never really worked in a zoo or in the field, try to get experience in seeing daily work e.g. as a volunteer to decide if you want it.

 

I actually am a zoologist, who specialises in primatology, so I have a fair bit of experience. Maybe ask some specific questions, it might be easier. Zoology and zoo keeping aren't really combined at any stage, what you described doesn't include keeping, but a conservation program. Zoology can be hands on, after all you are researching animals which can involve their care and manipulation.

 

As far as the animal zoo type settings here, that I know of, are The Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium as you have mentioned, as well as Sea-Life Park, though it is more of a "mini Sea-World" more so than zoo setting.

I am a bird watcher, though I also enjoy caged birds.

My experience has mostly been dog handling, and raising captive bred macaws, cockatoo's, and smaller hookbills. Though I have raised a fallen (naked) chick at one point or another.

 

I guess my main question, which is the big question for me atm would be... How much, on average, is the cost of tuition for an fully certified degree? I have a bit of money saved, but am curious on if I should need to continue working to save more until then.

 

You will need to talk to the uni you want to go through, because it varies. I am in Australia so have a deferred payment scheme for study.

 

There are two "zoo schools" in the United States. Out-of-State tuition is rather expensive, as would be a move from Hawaii to the mainland. Each school is a two year program. Moorpark in California is more training based, while Santa Fe in Florida (my alma mater) is more husbandry based and AZA accredited. Zookeeping is all manual labor and outdoor work (no matter what the weater is outside) volunteer at a local animal facility to be sure this is what you want before you make a decision. I saw too many classmates that didnt make it after moving across the country and spending hundreds of dollars.

It is very hard to get a job in the zoo field (one job with 50+ applicants). Having the right combination of education and experience (often seen as more important at many zoos) is very important in getting hired. But there are also some places that will hire green keepers.

Good luck.

 

Step 1: Obtain a hint of: Get a BSc (zoology):

Undergraduate Education - Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii

Step 2: Add some: Volunteering at your local zoo on Saturday:

Zoo Programs

Step 3: With a pinch of: Volunteer for your local conservation project on Sundays:

Opportunities we think you'll like

Bring to the boil and cook for 3 years...

I'm not a zoo keeper, this was for a bit of fun but it may be an option if you don't want to leave Hawaii... Or you could come to NZ all it requires is an 8 months course..!

Certificate in Animal Management courses, study to work with animals

 

My experience from ornithology side.

In your place, I would certainly get experience with research now to confirm that it is job you want and get personal contacts. I wouldn't invest any time or money in tuition/getting money for tuition without it.

Frankly, there is just one-two places which do what you want (raising threatened Hawaiian birds). I would contact the people directly and ask what they need and who they expect.

You only later can determine what training you want, because zoology, veterinary, animal husbandry and field ornithology need very different training. In every case, you will need lots of practical experience with wild birds which you can only get hands-on.

In my experience, bird conservation is very specialised field and more like a passion. There is small job market and small pool of skilled people who know each other. They generally welcome enthusiasts who "want to work with birds" and stick to it like glue, so maybe you can get a job straight on as some helper or field assistant. I know many people from profession unrelated to animals who succeeded but most zoologists and vets find it too difficult.

Good luck!

 

Just 8 months to become a zookeeper?!

Here in Denmark, it takes almost 4 years. But then again, we do train some of the best in Europe

 

Yip but in Auckland the zoo decides who gets trained and they usually only pick people who have experience or have volunteed in conservation progams and the zoo...

 

Haha!

In the good old days, if you could use a shovel and a broom, you could be an instant zoo-keeper. (that's 90% still the case.)

 

Yep, that's right - 90% of a keeper's work is just shovelling up s&%t !! What a shame things haven't progressed since the 50's.

 

It's called job security

 

And in the REAL good old days, at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, the keepers even had to make their own brooms. Bet they don't do that any more!!!!

 

I guess that things have changed ZooPro but a lot of job aspirants have yet to discern the differences.

A KEEPER will always be the care giver and the labourer who performs duties [mainly manual] for animals who can't perform those duties for themselves. A keeper also needs to be observant and to be sensitive to the animal's needs. A keeper needs a good basic knowledge of the species for which care is being given. A keeper needs to record what he/she has observed. Eventually, a GOOD keeper will develop animal "savvy" and intuition. You don't need to spend 3 years of your life at University to achieve any of the foregoing. In fact, many people who have spent their 3 years at Uni make lousy keepers. They have a degree and thus feel that they have bypassed the shovel and broom side of things and should start their career half way up the ladder. That's fine - but don't call yourself a KEEPER if that's what you wish to do.

I think Jo summed it up in a nutshell when she pointed out the difference between a ZOOKEEPER and a ZOOLOGIST.

 

Ironic thing is, I am a researcher, but I am the keeper for my subjects, I have taken over their care and do the feeding and cleaning! That is rare though, I am a very hands on person and love looking after the primates.