HOME	Behind the scenes

           

There are a lot of people working behind the scenes at a zoo. Many visitors have no idea about the important jobs that they do. Here are some of the important jobs done that allow zoos to celebrate, study, and protect wildlife and their habitats.

Animal Staff To maintain the health and well being of the animals in a zoo takes a team of people with many different skills. There are keepers, who look after animals day-to-day, and curators who manage the collection and direct conservation and science programs like ones that help species to survive. Check out FAQs about the job of keeper, and find out how you can train for the job.

Veterinary Care Zoos also have veterinary hospitals where teams of veterinarians look after the health of the collection's animals. This team both carries out a program of preventive medicine and treats ill and injured animals. When an animal does die --and this is inevitable in a living collection -- pathologists determine the cause of death. This helps advance our understanding of zoo animals' medicine.

Scientific Research and Conservation Zoos are home to many scientists and their students who are studying animals both in the collection and in the wild.

Education Another team, composed of designers, writers, artists, and teachers, plan exhibits, create educational graphic displays, and provide a variety of education programs for the public and for school groups. The educators need to know all about the different animals, so that they can teach the public more about them.

Facilities The Zoo must keep running for animals, and visitors, and staff who work there. This takes electricians, painters, gardeners, cleaners, and more. In many ways, the Zoo is like a small town.

Volunteers Zoos often have people who help out, but don't have paid jobs there. They give up their time and skills, because they love animals, and want to help. They are often involved in helping to raise money for the zoo.

Administration This team includes the senior staff of the Zoo, who provide leadership and vision for the organizations. They need people who lead staff, who plan for the future, and who look after the money, and look after the computers.

As you can see, the zoo has many people working there, in order for you to be able to visit, and see the animals.