senior animal keeper
Why did you choose to work
at the zoo?
I love to
work with exotic animals, and I love the outdoors.
What exactly do you do in your
job?
I take care
of the animals. This job includes feeding them, cleaning their exhibits,
preparing their diets, arranging their exhibits, and I enrich the animals
by giving them things to play with.
How does your job help the
animals?
It keeps them
healthy and happy.
How did you get your job?
It was advertised
in the newspaper, so I applied.
What do you like best about
your job?
I like working
with the animals.
What is the most challenging
about your job?
The most challenging
thing is the work load.
What is the neatest thing that
happened on your job?
I enjoy watching
the animals respond to the enrichment activities.
What are your working hours?
I work from
8:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. A week's work is 35-40 hours.
How many animal keepers work
here?
Five people
work full time and 4 to 5 work part time.
How could I get a job like
yours?
You need to
get a degree in animal science, and you need to have experience with
animals.
What are the requirements to
do well in your job?
You have to
be able to read the animal's behavior, and you also have to be physically
fit because it is a lot of work.
What are the educational requirements
to get your job?
You have to
get either an animal science degree or a biology degree.
What school did you go to to
get your degree?
the University
of Delaware
Did you have to study a lot
about animals?
Yes, because
there is a lot to learn about animals. They are all very different.
When did you start thinking
about working at the zoo?
when I was
in elementary school
Is it hard working at the zoo?
Yes
How long have you been working
at the zoo?
3 years and
4 months
interviewed by Jeremy
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