Sure, they get to hang out with cute animals, train them, and feed them each day. But what is it really like to be a CuriOdyssey zoo keeper? And what’s actually required for the job? Read on to find out!

1. Creativity is required! You might not think much creativity is required of a zoo keeper but, in reality, the job requires a lot of creative problem solving. How so? Well, a big part of a CuriOdyssey zoo keeper’s job involves providing animals with “enrichment” to keep them stimulated and entertained. Oftentimes figuring out what will interest them is a big creative challenge!

2. You have to be prepared for anything. While zoo keepers develop positive relationships with the animals they care for, animals by nature can be unpredictable. Case in point: one of our friendly zoo keepers recently received a nibble from our very mild-mannered porcupine. So it’s important to remember that even typically docile animals can have a bad day.

3. Zoo keepers do it for the love. Being a keeper is so much more then getting to hang out with animals all day. There’s a lot of hard work involved. Keepers have to work in all kinds of weather (rain or shine!), and they work on weekends and holidays. There’s also a lot of heavy physical labor, cleaning, and exhibit maintenance that comes with the territory.

4. Keepers are highly trained and educated. Even though the job includes mostly physical labor, most zoos require their employees to have at least a Bachelor’s degree, and some zoo keepers even have their masters or Ph.D. There’s a lot of know-how required when dealing with animals on a daily basis.

5. It’s a career about conservation and compassion. At CuriOdyssey, we house non-releasable animals, or ones that are not able to survive in the wild. These animals rely on zoo keepers to take care of them and provide them with food, water, shelter, and an enriching environment. CuriOdyssey is also involved in animal conservation, education, and research, which are all necessary to promote compassion for animals