Zoo keepers help care for animals in zoos and wildlife parks, and provide assistance to veterinary staff.

Zoo Keepers observe animal behaviour and provide enrichment activities for the animals in their care.

They also provide information to the public on animals and conservation, and create appropriate environments for education and animal welfare.

Zoo Keepers may work with a wide variety of wildlife, both exotic and native, such as birds, mammals and reptiles. They may work in the city or in open-range zoos.

Zoo Keepers are usually required to work in shifts and on weekends. Some work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions.

Zoo Keepers may perform the following tasks:

• monitor and record, on a daily basis, the health and behaviour of the animals in their care
• prepare food and water and perform general care for zoo animals
• maintain zoo exhibits and animal enclosures, holding or breeding areas and equipment
• assist in programs that rehabilitate and return animals to the wild
• gather information by taking samples of animal body fluids, faeces or tissues for analysis or veterinary inspection
• inspect and test animals for worm infestation and disease
• clear away animal waste
• clean, sweep, wash and disinfect cages and other facilities
• sterilise and maintain equipment
• establish and monitor breeding programs
• humanely euthenase animals and/or handle animals which have died
• perform post-mortem examinations on animals that have died