Zookeepers are responsible for the care and feeding of animals in a zoo. Duties can vary, as can the hours (zoos may be open during normal business hours or overnight), but they generally include cleaning enclosures, interacting with animals, moving animals to different locations inside or outside their enclosures, and making sure that each animal has the proper food and shelter. The top skills required for this position are customer service, animal care & handling, animal training, medical treatment (animal), computer software, patient care, time management skills. A high school diploma or equivalent is needed for this position but past experience with animals is preferred.
The Best Zookeeper Resume Samples
These are some examples of accomplishments we have handpicked from real Zookeeper resumes for your reference.
Zookeeper
- Cleaning and caring for a variety of exotic species.
- Making diets, administering medications, and providing enrichment.
- Maintaining a healthy and enriching environment where the animals have full and healthy lives.
- Giving keeper talks to help inform the public on the need for their participation to help bring many species from the brink of extinction.
- Coordinated with the Director to create and maintain a daily “talk show” presentation for the animals and guests.
Zookeeper
- Maintained and cleaned all animal habitats at the facility, from large primate enclosures to small animal cages.
- In charge of taming/handling various types of animals as needed.
- Experienced with handling and interacting with multiple species of animals including but not limited to: dogs, cats, rodents, primates, reptiles, amphibians, marsupials, and birds.
- Held over 200 educational programs that presented imperiled species, promoted zoo conservation efforts, and educated school-aged children.
- Trained six seasonal employees in safety precautions, animal handling techniques, and zookeeping skills.
Zookeeper
- Cleaned and maintained exhibits and holding areas for a variety of animals.
- Fed, watered, and medicated (when needed) various hoofstock, primates, birds, and small carnivores.
- Worked independently and as a team to ensure that all duties of the job were achieved.
- Developed a working relationship with local law enforcement officials that included training aides in the prevention of animal abuse.
- Provided emergency medical treatment to all animals after animal attacks and accidents; responded to major fire alarm resulting from the fireworks display at County Fair.
Zookeeper
- Responsible for the daily husbandry and observation of all collection animals’ health and activity.
- Prepared diets for the collection animals based on their individual dietary needs.
- Participated in and planned a variety of veterinary procedures including chemical immobilization, capture, and restraint as well as administered various medical treatments.
- Created and implemented specific enrichment to maintain the quality of life for the animals.
- Attended to the needs of injured, ill, and dying animals; coordinated / participated in the process of euthanasia for terminally ill animals.
Zookeeper
- Closely observed animals for signs of illness and assisted veterinarians in a variety of treatments and procedures including administering medications.
- Encouraged public interest in the caretaking and conservation of wild animals through daily educational presentations.
- Responsible for the maintenance and groundskeeping of any assigned area.
- Prepared the diets of over 100 different species of animals based on their individual dietary needs.
- Conducted public outreach events, interpreted animal behaviors for visiting families and groups, and guided educational tours for children throughout the zoo exhibits.
Zookeeper
- Maintain a healthy and psychologically stimulating livelihood for a large collection of exotic animals including a multitude of primates, mammals, and birds.
- This includes, but is not limited to, providing daily diets and medications as well as required enrichment all the while meeting husbandry requirements as well as keeping up to date on changing USDA and AZA protocols.
- Promoted to a keeper II status at my two-year mark, which is the fastest that level can be achieved.
- Managed communications with non-profit organizations, associations, and conservation groups that support or partner with our zoo.
- Dramatically increased patron attendance and awareness of our zoo’s mission through social media strategies on Facebook and Twitter.
Zookeeper
- Played a vital role in protecting rare and endangered animal species; managed the feeding, care, and conservation of a wide variety of animals in captivity including mammals, reptiles, and various species of birds, and organized all animal diets and nutrition.
- Provided cleaning and maintained animal enclosures and provided pest control activities to create a healthy environment for the animals.
- Oversaw the assessment and care of the animals to address the animals’ health needs including the preparation of enrichment and conditioning programs to maintain and enhance the quality of life for the animals.
- Actively participated in the care of twenty-nine animals including exotic birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish.
- Managed a daily schedule for Feeding, Watering, and Grooming livestock; maintained a clean, healthy environment for animal habitats.
Zookeeper
- Created new primate enrichment maintained and improved exhibits by designing exhibit layout.
- Kept detailed records of behaviors, training, and enrichment for the animals.
- Ordered and kept inventory on all products we ordered from SYSCO and P.F.G.
- Carefully observed behaviors and reported any abnormalities to the supervisor.
- Educated visitors about animal behaviors and habitats; provided assistance with questions regarding animal care.
Zookeeper
- Founding team member of Zoo Miami’s newest attraction, the $35 million exhibit, Florida: Mission Everglades.
- Analyzed, created budget, and implemented a multi-thousand-dollar beautification project able to be seen on exhibit in FME.
- Serving as a pivotal leader in integrating a new team into Zoo Miami’s infrastructure while simultaneously establishing a productive and efficient team environment through strategic communication and cross-functional leadership.
- Primary trainer responsible for the livelihood of over 50+ animals including 20+ species while facilitating their ability to inspire zoo patrons through captivating public presentations and numerous guest engagement events.
- Recognized as a supervisor within the first year of employment due to creative solutions to solve problems involving animals; increased profitability by 20%.
Zookeeper
- Answer inbound calls, reserve tours for guests, and excellent customer service.
- As a tour guide, I have memorized a script that provides in-depth knowledge of 200 different animals ranging from reptiles, mammals, primates, and birds of prey.
- My zookeeper duties include cleaning, feeding, bathing, and doing up-close wildlife encounters with guests.
- Participated in Children’s Zoo Day In the Park activities to educate families about zoo life cycles, habitat structure, food chains, and predator-prey relationships.
- Received the Management Award for fostering the health, coordination, and cooperation of the entire exotic animal population in a safe and natural environment.
Zookeeper
- Observing animals include checking for medical problems, changes in behavior, feeding habits, and overall wellbeing.
- Feeds animals as specified by curatorial and veterinary staff in accordance with nutritional and behavioral requirements.
- Cleans disinfects and maintains animal exhibits, enclosures, food and water dishes, pools, and other areas.
- Presented with the award for dedication to the zoo; was responsible for keeping habitats clean, stocking supplies, and developing viable solutions to problems relating to sanitation.
- Awarded employee of the month title for exemplary care of animals in captivity. Created detailed reports on animals’ habitat preferences, diet requirements, nutritional benefits, medical needs, and behavioral patterns.
Zookeeper
- Prepare and distribute animal diets according to veterinary recommendations.
- Follows protocol for proper cleaning of enclosures for all animals.
- Currently working with Tigers, grizzly/ black bears, leopards, panthers bobcats, serval, lemurs, tortoises, tropical birds, wolves, and coatimundi.
- Lauded by co-workers as “Best Friend to Animals” following extensive research on animal life cycles; helped coordinate pregnancies and assisted at delivery of babies when necessary.
- Maintained and expanded a wildlife sanctuary with over two hundred animals; achieved non-profit status as a licensed wildlife habitat for endangered species.
How to Become a Successful Zookeeper?
Zoos want staff who are highly trained, so they usually require a bachelor’s or an associate’s for you to begin working with them, and they often partner with local schools to offer apprentice programs and internships to students so they can get some real-life experience before they are hired.
Once you are hired you will usually have to be trained and will likely be assigned to a specific schedule, and much of that will likely involve physical labor. This is something you need to be very physically fit to accomplish, as working with animals requires you to be in very good shape.
You will want to always follow safety regulations, as the animals are still wild and can do serious harm if they reach you. Being well versed in the rules and always mindful of any potential slip-ups will keep you safe in addition to your guests, and the animals will be much better off too.
There are many rewarding experiences to the hard work, and being dedicated can allow you some even more amazing opportunities if the zoo believes you are ready to work with more freedom. You will want to have good people skills as well, so you can serve the many guests that come to the zoo.
Wrap Up
In a world where many animal species are threatened and conservation efforts are key to saving them, zoos have an incredibly important task to play, breeding endangered animals and educating the public being just a few. The animals at these important institutions are tended to by zookeepers day and night.
Hope these samples gave you an idea of what your resume should look like and some tips on how to make sure that your resume stands out from the rest.
Contents