Zookeepers look after animals in zoos, safari parks and aquariums.
£12,000 Starter
to£25,000 Experienced
37 to 40 a week
evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts
You can get into this job through:
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
Zoos vary in what qualifications they ask for and it can depend on what their zookeepers are going to do.
You'll usually need:
You could do a course before applying to a zoo for a trainee zookeeper's job. Relevant courses include:
You'll usually need:
You could start by doing an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in animal care, or an animal care and welfare assistant intermediate apprenticeship. This may help you to get a job as a trainee with a zoo. Your employer would then put you through more courses on the job.
You may specialise in training zoo animals by completing an animal trainer higher apprenticeship.
You'll usually need:
You can volunteer in a zoo or wildlife centre to get experience. This will be important, as there's a lot of competition for trainee jobs. You could also try:
You can find out more about working in zoos from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
You'll need:
You'll need to:
In this role you could be:
You could work at a zoo.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and physically demanding.
You may need to wear a uniform and protective clothing.
In larger zoos, you could progress from keeper to team leader or head keeper. With experience and a degree, you could become a curator.
You could also move into education or conservation research.