Becoming a Zookeeper Assistant
A zookeeper assistant works with zookeepers to care for and maintain the animals' exhibits and habitats. This position typically includes feeding and watering animals, training them, and cleaning their cages. They may also assist in the care of sick or injured animals by administering medication and assisting with veterinary examinations. Visit this company website to learn on how to be a zookeeper assistant from the comfort of your home.
If you have an interest in working with animals, a zookeeper assistant career is a perfect choice. Besides caring for animals, you'll be educating visitors and assisting zookeepers in preserving endangered species. With a certificate in zookeeping, you can pursue several careers in this field, such as becoming a zookeeper or an animal care supervisor.
To become a zookeeper assistant, you must complete a training program. The ABC Zookeeper Assistant program includes a 10-stage course that teaches students the ins and outs of animal husbandry, conservation, animal training, and record-keeping. It also includes career guidance.
Before pursuing a career in zookeeping, it is essential to have a college degree in animal science or biology. This helps understand the animals you will interact with every day. Some colleges even offer courses in reproductive science and genetics, which prepare future zookeepers.
A zookeeper assistant will work closely with a variety of animals, including large mammals and birds. They will also observe and assist veterinarians during routine procedures and record daily medical records. Zookeepers also perform daily tasks such as propping exhibits so that animals can be relocated. You will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining exhibits, and you will be closely supervised by an Assistant Curator.
The position is physically demanding. Zookeeper assistants spend most of their time outside, and they must be able to bend, squat, and stand for extended periods. They will also be required to handle animals with care, as these creatures are wild and dangerous. They may also have to deal with hazardous chemicals and diseases, so it is important to be prepared for such scenarios.
Zoo jobs makes an average of $38,500 per year and has excellent job growth prospects. While the salary for a zookeeper assistant is low, it can be higher if you have the education to pursue it. However, it is not necessary to complete a degree to become a zookeeper assistant.
During her undergraduate degree in zoology, Courtney Deutsch worked as an intern at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Pennsylvania and the Zoo Miami in Florida. While there, she assisted staff members in completing an ethogram of African-painted dogs. She also helped with exhibit renovations.
Zookeeper assistants work closely with zoo animals and provide care and entertainment for the animals. Some of their duties include assisting veterinarians and responding to public questions about animal care. They may also conduct formal and informal education programs for the public and assist with research studies.
Check out this related post to get more enlightened on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zookeeper.