Part One — Weeks 1–24 • 720 Hours
Part One of the Zookeeping & Wildlife Management Certification Program introduces students to the foundational principles of animal care, facility operations, wildlife management, and conservation education.
Students develop practical skills through supervised, hands-on training within a working wildlife sanctuary and teaching zoo while building the professionalism and situational awareness required in animal care environments.
Training combines practical experience with supplemental coursework to support both technical skill development and operational understanding.
Program Highlights
Animal Care & Husbandry
Develop foundational skills in:
- feeding and diet preparation
- enclosure cleaning and maintenance
- behavioral observation
- enrichment implementation
- animal welfare support
Safety & Facility Operations
Students learn workplace expectations and operational procedures including:
- protected contact safety protocols
- emergency procedures
- habitat maintenance
- sanitation practices
- record-keeping
- teamwork and communication
Wildlife Management & Conservation Education
Students gain exposure to:
- wildlife management principles
- conservation-focused public education
- professional guest interaction
- nonprofit wildlife facility operations
Real-World Training Environment
Training takes place at Cat Tales Wildlife Center, a functioning wildlife sanctuary and teaching zoo housing large carnivores, native wildlife, and rescued animals requiring long-term care.
Students participate in structured daily operations while developing practical experience applicable to professional animal care environments.
Instruction includes:
- hands-on practical training
- online modules
- webinars
- guided observation
- group instruction
Building Professional Skills
Part One emphasizes the development of:
- consistency in animal care
- situational awareness
- professionalism
- communication
- teamwork
- observational skills
Students are expected to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions while participating in supervised wildlife care activities.
Successful completion of Part One prepares students to advance into: