Professional Zookeeper Program
--Course Overview--
Part One - Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations (weeks 1 thru 24)
Part Two - Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management (weeks 25 thru 48)
Part Two - Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management (weeks 25 thru 48)
The Professional Zookeeper Program is designed to develop animal/wildlife health and welfare related skills, the supporting teamwork & relationships inherent to success in a professional animal care setting. Understanding the backbone and front side of a zoological facility and its organization is an important part of the program.
Part One - Introduction to Zookeeping and Facility Operations (Weeks 1-24)
Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations is the all-inclusive beginning to understanding people/animal relationships and the role of public relations and teamwork in professional animal care.
The Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations course consists of 24 clock hour weeks at 30 hours per week. A minimum of 720 hours of practical internship training is required to complete the Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations course.
In the Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations instruction and applied skills, students will learn basic husbandry and management of zoo animals through virtual and practical internship training using the animals located at the Wildlife Center for illustration of technique. This includes, but is not limited to,
The course subjects are taught through a combination of virtual and practical internship training throughout the program. The order in which the studies occur may vary slightly as current emphasis fluctuates to meet the educational needs of the students and to meet the current standards of the animal care industry, including rules and regulations. Successful completion of all course subjects is required for advancement.
Part Two - Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management (Weeks 25-48)
Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management
Prerequisite Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations, or Equivalent Experience (To be determined by the Review and Acceptance Committee)
Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management covers more advanced study and implementation of the skills taught in the Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations with the concentration on Leadership skills and an introduction to Small Zoo Management. The management skills taught can be utilized in many business applications as the student will learn a comprehensive background to the structure of an animal/people related facility.
The Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management course consists of 24 clock-hour weeks at 30 hours per week. A minimum of 720 hours of practical internship training is required to complete the Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management course.
In the Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management instruction and applied skills, students will learn through virtual and practical internship training, leadership in professional animal care and small zoo operations. Virtual and/or in-person classes and practical internship training will review instruction covered in Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations.
In the Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management instruction and applied skills, students will learn through virtual and practical internship training, aspects of Small Facility Management including, but not limited to,
Successful completion of Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations (or equivalent) and Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management are required for Graduation and to acquire the Certificate of Achievement – Professional Zookeeper
The Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations course consists of 24 clock hour weeks at 30 hours per week. A minimum of 720 hours of practical internship training is required to complete the Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations course.
In the Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations instruction and applied skills, students will learn basic husbandry and management of zoo animals through virtual and practical internship training using the animals located at the Wildlife Center for illustration of technique. This includes, but is not limited to,
- safety and emergency protocol,
- cleaning, sanitizing, & maintenance of exhibit and holding areas,
- wild animal nutrition & diet preparation,
- record keeping, behavior observation, animal enrichment,
- back-up & an introduction to lead zoo keeping,
- and related government regulations.
- various aspects of basic zoo support and operations,
- public relations, fund raising & public education,
- exhibit and grounds maintenance,
- construction and horticulture.
The course subjects are taught through a combination of virtual and practical internship training throughout the program. The order in which the studies occur may vary slightly as current emphasis fluctuates to meet the educational needs of the students and to meet the current standards of the animal care industry, including rules and regulations. Successful completion of all course subjects is required for advancement.
Part Two - Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management (Weeks 25-48)
Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management
Prerequisite Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations, or Equivalent Experience (To be determined by the Review and Acceptance Committee)
Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management covers more advanced study and implementation of the skills taught in the Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations with the concentration on Leadership skills and an introduction to Small Zoo Management. The management skills taught can be utilized in many business applications as the student will learn a comprehensive background to the structure of an animal/people related facility.
The Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management course consists of 24 clock-hour weeks at 30 hours per week. A minimum of 720 hours of practical internship training is required to complete the Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management course.
In the Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management instruction and applied skills, students will learn through virtual and practical internship training, leadership in professional animal care and small zoo operations. Virtual and/or in-person classes and practical internship training will review instruction covered in Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations.
- Using the animals located at the Wildlife Center for illustration of technique, students will implement the conditioning or training of specified animals to assist in their husbandry, health, medical management, and welfare.
- Depending on the species and animal's history, the wildlife housed at Cat Tales are protected contact animals and under rare circumstances are free contact.
- the role of leadership in zookeeping incorporated in the supervision of
- animal husbandry,
- animal health & welfare,
- dietary preparation and delivery,
- and related recordkeeping.
- advanced enrichment,
- onsite and outreach conservation education programs (use of ambassador/program animals not guaranteed);
- species specific and age related animal care including geriatric animal concerns and quality of life assessment;
- the role of the zookeeper in veterinary care & procedures;
- and employment readiness.
In the Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management instruction and applied skills, students will learn through virtual and practical internship training, aspects of Small Facility Management including, but not limited to,
- fund raising,
- public education and relations,
- staffing and scheduling,
- volunteer training,
- local, regional and federal regulations, licensing, inspections,
- acquisition and disposition of the animal collection,
- advanced record keeping, networking, inventory,
- zoo science, and emergency protocol.
Successful completion of Introduction to Zookeeping & Facility Operations (or equivalent) and Advanced Zookeeping & Small Facility Management are required for Graduation and to acquire the Certificate of Achievement – Professional Zookeeper