Expand mobile version menu

What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources cluster Animal Systems pathway.

Insider Info

Additional Information

While keepers in the past didn't necessarily need a college or university degree, it's certainly becoming the norm to have a degree in biology -- or some other field relevant to looking after animals.

Louise Hill, general curator of a zoological park in Virginia, suggests that would-be keepers get themselves a college degree while doing some volunteer work at their local zoo. In fact, most zoos have programs offering hands-on experience with the animals.

Animal care supervisor Duncan Bourne says that management looks for people who show a commitment to improving their individual knowledge.

Bourne recommends a degree in zoology or biology, or a diploma as a veterinary assistant. A farming background or any job displaying a strong love of animals -- whether big or small, vertebrates or invertebrates -- is a great help. Bourne argues that generalists will always find a place for themselves in a zoo.

Game reserve owner Nancy Lang recommends volunteering, biology courses and other sciences.