Zookeeper

Rock 'n Roll; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 427 000 - 599 000; Full time

Job summary

A local wildlife organization in Cape Town is seeking a Zookeeper to manage the care of zoo animals. Responsibilities include feeding, bathing, and monitoring animal health, requiring a bachelor's degree in a related field. Candidates should have strong animal care skills and attention to detail. Competitive salary is commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of animal handling and care essentials.
• Ability to monitor animal behavior and health.
• Strong commitment to animal wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Feed and bathe animals as per specific instructions.
• Maintain cleanliness of animal habitats.
• Observe and record health and behavior patterns.

Skills

Animal care

Behavior monitoring

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Zookeeping involves managing and maintaining zoo animals and their environment. A typical zookeeper has a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and earns around $30,000 a year. While job openings for zookeepers are only increasing slowly, general animal care and service workers are expected to see growth at a higher than average rate.

Job Description

Zookeepers are responsible for the wellbeing of the animals living in zoos. The job requires a keeper to routinely complete a number of tasks for the animals, such as bathing, feeding and exercising.

Zookeepers must follow very specific feeding instructions for each animal, and keepers are often expected to work weekends and holidays to ensure the animals are fed routinely. They must provide drinking water for the animals, keep their living spaces clean, and help train or entertain them.

Much of a zookeeper's job involves monitoring the animals and making sure they do not become sick or injured. They keep notes on their eating habits, watch for odd behavior, and provide veterinarians with relevant information about their health.

Qualifications

For those who wish to become zookeepers, a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline is strongly advisable as job competition is intense, even though job growth is strong. Zookeepers must know how to handle different types of animals and their temperaments. Salaries vary, depending on experience and the employer, but the median pay for zookeepers in 2016 was around $30,000.

Additional Information

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