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ZOOS AND
AQUARIUMS
CAREERS IN
century. While we can still read about animals in the wild in far away
places, or view an animal or nature series on television, we can also
enjoy these magnificent creatures at public, private and nonprofit
facilities across the country. Most of us will never get to see first hand
the animal kingdom in its natural habitats. But we can visit the
facilities and learn about the birds, mammals, reptiles and fish that are
protected and cared for.
Zoos also are involved in the vital work of preserving many species
that are in danger of becoming extinct. Development, poaching,
pollution, lack of money and other factors of modern life are causing
wildlife to disappear in this country and around the world. Zoos and
aquariums are helping preserve endangered wildlife through
successful conservation and breeding programs along with
documenting a better understanding of animal behavior.
reptile, insect and fish add to the protection of our ecosystem. Natural
habitats around the world are shrinking and many species are being
cut off from one another by highways, private and public
development, dams and more. Even migratory bird routes used for
hundred of years have been detoured or blocked in some way. As we
work the land, cut down trees, pollute air and water here and around
the world, we are losing many species and placing others in great
danger.
The Przewalskis horses, originally from China and Mongolia, have
been extinct for some years, but through a successful breeding
program in zoos there are now several hundred in captivity.
The pygmy chimpanzee, once found only in central Zaire, is all but
extinct in the wilds with less than a hundred remaining in captivity.
The black rhino from Kenya was almost made extinct through
poaching. Between 1970 and 1990, almost 98 percent of this
species was killed for its horns that were either ground down to
make an aphrodisiac or carved into daggers.
The male golden lion tamarin (monkey), once thousands strong in
its native Brazilian rain forest, now thought to be nearly extinct.
Polluted lakes and rivers in the 1970s and 1980s wiped out many
species of fish and other marine life crucial to the delicate balance
of life under the waters.
These examples do not even cover a small fraction of the wildlife
and plant life lost over the last century. A few species on the brink of
extinction, such as the bald eagle, the California condor and the wolf,
have been rescued, bred and reintroduced into the wild. But the
situation remains dire and even though many throughout the world
are working to find solutions, the problems are overwhelming.
The Chicago Tribune reported recently in a front page story that A
small flock of endangered whooping cranes finished a 1,200-mile
journey to Florida, almost seven weeks after the birds began following
researchers in ultralight aircraft from Wisconsin. Only eight young
birds made the long flight and one was killed after flying into a power
line during a storm. About 400 whooping cranes survive today and
biologists and other scientists are fighting a long and hard battle to
keep their migratory process going with a little help from state and
federal government agencies and nonprofit groups.
In her 1997 book, THE MODERN ARK, The Story of Zoos: Past,
Present and Future, Vicki Croke, a respected nature writer has a clarion
call as she writes, There is a monster loose in the world that is
gobbling up every green inch and chopping down every forest. The
beast, of course, is the planets human population. Every year another
97 million human beings join the crowd 90 percent of whom are
born in less developed tropical countries, where the bulk of the
remaining wildlife lives. By 2050 the worlds population could reach
12 billion. Thats 12 billion who need roads and houses and land for
crops and domestic animals. Who need fuel and food and wood.
Because of that, the nonhuman, nondomesticated animal portion of
the planets biomass is being squeezed out of existence. The statistics
are too much to fathom.
A LABOR OF LOVE
ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS EMPLOY MANY MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE
Zoos and aquariums today that belong to the AZA are part of a
family, collaborating and sharing information, new techniques in animal
care, educational programs, breeding and so much more. They have
come a long way from the early years before AZA when everything was
done in secrecy and the competition to acquire prized animals was fierce.
In 1967, the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) was
founded to foster a professional attitude in animal keepers by
encouraging them to become active members of the professional teams
at todays zoos and aquariums. AAZK supports the promotion and
implementation of zoo keeper education and strives to make the general
public aware of our concern for all valid and deserving conservation
projects and the need for the preservation of our natural resources and
animal life.
The International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA) was
founded to foster communication, professionalism, and cooperation
among those who serve marine mammal science through training, public
display, research, husbandry, conservation, and education.
The world needs zoos and aquariums to help save the diversity of
life. We cannot imagine what the zoos and aquariums will look like at the
beginning of the 22nd century, but we do know that they are moving in
the right direction with dedication and promise to conserve and preserve
the animal kingdom in all its majesty.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
EMPLOYMENT IN ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS IS NOT GLAMOROUS, ESPECIALLY THE
positions that require direct contact with the animals. Physical strength is
needed for much of the work and you have to be always on alert to make
detailed observations and keep information on all animals up-to-date.
This work requires a special kind of dedication to animals, who require
attention and care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of
weekends, holidays, snow or sunshine.
Positions depend upon the size of the facility and the responsibilities
can vary from place to place.
Director/Chief Operating Officer Executes policies as directed by the
governing authority. Responsible for the institutions operation and plans for
future development.
General Curator Oversees an institutions entire animal collection and
animal management staff. Responsible for strategic collection planning.
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aquariums. They ensure that all the animals are kept in the best of
health under the best of conditions and that they are displayed in an
appropriate and attractive setting. Both positions have degrees of
responsibilities depending upon the experience and seniority of the
individual, as well as the size of the institution.
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very busy. Some days it seems as though the work will never be
finished, but that is because animal care is ongoing day in and
day out. I work in a mid-size zoo in a big city, and we have an
outstanding collection of animals who are demanding in terms of
their feeding, keeping their space clean and presentable, ensuring
their health and safety, and making their daily living environment
as close to nature as possible.
It is true that zoos once were just a jumble of cages to hold
animals. But over the years the importance of their habitats has
been studied by scientists and naturalists linking their behavior
and interaction with their environment. Todays zoo is as close to
the wild as possible. Their surroundings including plants, pools
and landscapes are specifically designed to mirror their habitats.
My main work is with the primates. The monkeys and apes
are fascinating creatures and I enjoy working with them. My day
starts about 7:30 when I make my rounds to see all my charges
and ensure that they look healthy, are behaving normally, and
their space has not been disturbed in any way. Even though there
is overnight staff, this first check in the morning is very important
because it sets a pattern for the rest of the day and allows me to
deal with any problems right away.
Then its feeding time and checking on their diets so that any
additional foods and/or supplements are available. After that, the
exhibits need to be cleaned and everyone made presentable for
the public by 10 am. There are several feedings a day, and the
exhibits are cleaned again at the end of the day or sooner if
necessary. Areas in the back of cages and habitats must be
cleaned at the end of the day, and everything prepared for
tomorrow. I also write detailed reports on each animal every day
as this ensures the check on their care, health and safety.
My work goes on whether it is miserably hot or unbearably
cold. Our work does not stop for weather, weekends or holidays.
We had well over a million visitors last year, and part of my job is
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to interact with the public and answer questions. I have also taken
some of the smaller monkeys to schools for educational talks. It is
so important to make young people aware of the environment
and how its quality not only impacts humans, but the welfare of
animals as well.
I grew up with two dogs and several cats. I learned to ride a
horse when I was 10 years old. I have always loved animals and
wanted to be around them. As a junior in high school, I began
volunteering on weekends at this zoo where I now work. I have a
degree in wildlife biology and I have studied animal behavior.
I hope to be doing this for a long time. Eventually, I would like
to move into management. Working with animals is a rewarding
experience, and I feel as though I am part of an important crusade
in preservation and conservation.
love the outdoors, but I was not sure how to combine these into a
future. I have worked for the park district and have been a camp
counselor, and even spent a summer on a working ranch. I was in
my first year of college taking liberal arts courses when I visited a
zoo in the city and met another student there I knew who had
been accepted in their 12-week intern program. He was working
in a tropic setting that replicates a rainforest system housing a
wide variety of species. He was very excited about the prospect of
a future in zoos.
I was mesmerized by the experience and decided to look into
this intern program. After talking with my family and advisors, I
switched my curriculum to biology and science. I could not apply
for the program until I had two years of college and then it was so
competitive that I was not sure I would get in. My B+ grade
average proved to be the clincher and here I am in the third week
of my 12-week internship.
I asked to take my internship at the childrens zoo which
offers a great dual opportunity for working hands on with a
variety of native and domestic animals and lots of interaction with
children and adults. Zoo keeping skills are essentially the same at
the childrens zoo as they are in the main zoo. There is a daily
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the public to the living wonders of this earth. And, most of all, I
am happy in my work and cant wait to return here every day.
The work is not easy and the hours can be long, and there are
always problems to deal with, but for me it has been worth it. My
future may have management duties and even a place in the
executive offices. I am not quite sure how I would feel
relinquishing my hands-on work with my birds, but my mind is
always open to new challenges. If you love all creatures and enjoy
communicating with nature, then a career with animals will be a
rewarding one.
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first, you get to work with and care for a variety of local, domestic,
exotic and endangered animals and second, you get to work either
outside or under water. When considering this field, keep in mind
these essential personal qualifications you will need to succeed.
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POSITIVE ASPECTS
THIS IS AMONG THE MOST GIVING CAREERS. PEOPLE ENTER THIS WORK BECAUSE
they truly love animals and want not only to be around them, but help
their breed survive and flourish. It is not a flashy or high-powered
field, and it does not pay big salaries, but if you have a desire to help
preserve the animals we have left then you are in the right career.
You work with people of similar views in places that are
interesting and attractive. The zoos and aquariums of today are
modern, well-equipped facilities that display their animals in natural
habitats. It becomes a fun family-like atmosphere and the illness or
death of any member is a sad affair. It is a good feeling to come
through a crisis and save a creature or watch the birth of a rare
species.
In addition to caring for the animals, there is a variety of
programs, workshops and special events that bring children, teens and
adults to the institution to participate with the zoo employees in a
variety of ways, mostly educational and always fun. In addition, you
can participate in school programs where selected animals are taken
into the classroom and discussed, or a class comes to the zoo and a
keeper or curator will guide them through a particular exhibit.
Zoos and aquariums are places where animal health is enhanced
and endangered species are nurtured. They are beacons of light in a
world that too often cares more for roads and buildings than it does
for nature.
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NEGATIVE ASPECTS
THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS THE LOW PAY. KEEPERS, AQUARISTS AND CURATORS
are all required to have degrees, and for curators a graduate degree is
necessary. The institutions are nonprofit and have never been able to
afford high salaries. The majority of zoos and aquariums have annual
budgets under $5 million and that just covers the essentials. So be
forewarned, if you are looking to make a lot of money, this is not the
career for you.
While no two days are the same, there are routine duties that
must be performed on a daily basis, 365 days a year, such as feeding
and cleaning, and they must be done in all kinds of weather.
Blistering heat or freezing cold is no excuse not to be out doing your
daily chores. During very bad weather or storms most of the animals
are brought inside, but creatures like seals stay in their pools and
keepers must go out and feed them.
Dealing with the public can be frustrating as they ignore signs like
Do Not Feed the Animals, or let small children run wild and get into
restricted areas. Watching the animals is one thing, but watching out
for unruly children should not be your problem. It just adds to the
stress of the work.
Lifting heavy bags of food or materials can be backbreaking.
Detailed daily reports are a necessary evil and must be completed
whether your day has ended or not. Often you work more hours than
you are paid for. There is too much to do and too much to learn.
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higher level, and you will be more successful, if you have a college
degree. While it is possible to get some entry-level positions at smaller
facilities with only a high school diploma, you could find yourself
trapped in a dead-end job. Even some science and biology courses at a
community college would be a help and then with experience, you
could move up to a better job.
However, without a degree from an accredited college or
university, there is only so far that you can go in pursuing a serious
career, and most major institutions will not consider your application
with only a high school diploma. A college education not only gives
you the science you need, it also gives you organizational skills and
time management skills to help you deal with the pressures and
problems of the job.
A college education translates into better jobs, greater
advancement possibilities, and better earnings and benefits. So if you
are serious about working with animals in zoos and aquariums, start
looking at a science degree program in the school of your choice.
The basic majors for this field are biology, marine biology, ecology,
and zoology. Many curator positions now require graduate degrees,
including a masters, all the way up to a PhD. There are numerous
colleges and universities across the country that have undergraduate
and graduate degree programs in these and other related sciences.
Just visit your local library or the Internet for a listing in your area or
anywhere in the country.
For working zoo professionals, there are ongoing training
programs, including seminars, workshops, continuing education,
interaction with colleagues in other institutions, and association
meetings and conferences.
If you want to do some first-hand investigation before you make a
commitment to this career, volunteer at a zoo or aquarium, a
veterinarians office, or any facility that cares for animals to view first
hand what goes into their care and welfare. The best way to make
your decision is to be informed, and it will be up to you to do the leg
work.
Make sure that your high school grades are up to your potential,
and that you have good study habits. All this will go a long way in
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EARNINGS POTENTIAL
ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS ARE MOSTLY NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS AND RELY ON
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
WHEN THE ECONOMY IS IN A DOWNTURN AND MONEY IS TIGHT, NONPROFITS ARE
the first to feel the pinch. Downsizing at these institutions usually does
not include the hands-on animal professionals. The majority of layoffs
when they are required, are in office jobs and management areas.
If you want a hands-on career with animals, there will always be
work. In addition to zoos and aquariums, there are wildlife parks,
specialized zoos, aquatic parks, circuses, petting and farm zoos,
animal shelters, wildlife refuges and more.
There are zoos of all sizes in many cities across the country. Not as
many aquariums, but a trip to your local library or a search on the
Internet will provide their locations. The Internet Web site for
American Zoo and Aquarium Association www.aza.org has a listing
and location of their member institutions.
To give you an idea of typical job openings, here is a sampling of
available positions across the country listed with the AZA in one recent
week:
Reptile/Amphibian Keeper, Mystic Aquarium, Connecticut
Zoo Keeper/Elephants, Chehaw Wild Animal Park, Georgia
Zoo Curator, Los Angeles Zoo, California
Curator of Aquatic Life, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Pennsylvania
Animal Keeper, Henry Doorly Zoo, Nebraska
Education Curator, Lake Superior Zoo, Minnesota
Gorilla Forest Supervisor, Louisville, Zoological Gardens, Kentucky
Bird Keeper, Houston Zoological Gardens, Texas
Elephant Manager, Virginia Zoological Park, Virginia
Conservation Education Internship, Racine Zoological Gardens,
Wisconsin
Zoo Keeper/Birds, New Orleans Audubon Zoo, Louisiana
Curator of Husbandry, Akron Zoo, Ohio
Zoo Keeper, North Carolina Zoo, North Carolina
Mammal Keeper, Jacksonville Zoological Gardens, Florida
General Curator, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Washington
Life Support Systems Technician, Oregon Coast Aquarium
Assistant Lead Keeper, Brookfield Zoo, Illinois
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ASSOCIATIONS
American Association of Zoo Keepers
www.aazk.org
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
www.aazv.org
American Society of Primatologists
www.asp.org
American Zoo and Aquarium Association
www.aza.org
The Association of Zoological Horticulture
www.azh.org
The Audubon Society
www.audubon.org
Center for Ecosystem Survival
www.savenature.org
The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group
www.cbsg.org
Earthwatch Institute
www.earthwatch.org
Elephant Managers Association
www.wildlifesafari.org/ema
Feline Conservation Center
www.cathouse-fcc.org
Humane Society of the United States
www.hsus.org
International Crane Foundation
www.savingcranes.org
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PERIODICALS
All of the above associations have their own special publications
including magazines, newsletters, articles, etc. Check their Web sites or
the periodical section in your local library. Write them asking for any
free information.
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