Stress

One of the occupations I have been considering is zookeeping. Zookeepers are animal caretakers and protectors. They also interact with people teaching about the animals. They are apart in saving endangered animals. I want to be a zookeeper because I love animals. I want to be able to learn and protect all the creatures of the world just as a zookeeper does. I would love to work at the Chicago Zoological Society. The Chicago Zoological Society is better known as Brookfield Zoo. Brookfield Zoo is a place I grew up going to. I think Brookfield Zoo is an outstanding zoo that forms a child’s respect for marvelous creatures. “Our mission here at Brookfield Zoo is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature” (Howes Fall 1). I want to be apart of an institution of this magnitude. “Keepers serve as the first line of public relations for their institutions. Interactions with visitors help to increase the public’s awareness for the important role of zoos in wildlife conservation” (AAZK 1).

A zookeeper “provides entertaining, educational programs for zoo visitors, brings various animals on stage and does informal presentations to educate the public about the animals; creates new animal behaviors for shows; trains animals; writes scripts for shows; prepares animal’s meals; cleans cages, stalls and food dishes; trains others in the proper handling techniques for various animals” (Vocational Biographies Inc. E-1-13).

The basic tasks for a keeper depend on the animal or area you are working in. Most likely the tasks are to take care of the animals, observe them, and care for their exhibit. I have seen this first hand. I work in the admissions department at Brookfield Zoo and I have seen the keepers clean up animal waste. I have seen them stand around observing the animals. The keepers are the ones to notice if the animal seems to be eating differently. They notice if an animal is sick or if an animal’s behavior has changed. They try and figure out why an animal’s behavior might have changed. They help to figure out solutions to the animal’s problems. They have to observe the animals for their wellbeing. Animals can’t tell their keeper what is wrong with them. The keepers are the animal’s voices. Their observation and research helps them learn new techniques and ways to care for the animal. The keepers decide what kind of enrichment toys should be used. An enrichment toy is an object for the animal to be interactive with. The keepers work hand in hand with the animals. “Zookeepers will work closely with zoo managers on conservation, reproductive husbandry and research projects. This research will provide zoos with important information to help preserve rare and endangered species and learn more about species which may become threatened in the future” (AAZK 1).

Caring for the animals include cleaning the exhibit, feeding them and maintaining their general health. I was able to watch the walrus at Brookfield Zoo interact with her keeper. The keeper hand signaled the walrus to do certain motions. The keeper gestured for the walrus to flap her fins to make sure that the fin was fully functional. She had the walrus roll over and applied an ointment to her skin for basic health care.

One Day at work I was allowed with other employees of other departments to see the new baby dolphin. We walked through the keeper corridors to the dolphin viewing area. I noticed several keepers sitting and watching the dolphins attentively. They kept taking notes on their observations. “Keepers and volunteer observers spend much time watching her interact with her environment, including her mom and sister. A team of observers records data around the clock. The info from all these observations will be used to further the zoo’s legacy of research” (Howes Spring 5). They were observing the Mother and Daughter. They were getting some data and information to put in a data file so that they can better understand the behaviors of bottlenose dolphins in the future.

The animals form a relationship with their keepers. I have seen meerkats all gather around the corner of their exhibit suddenly because they heard their keeper’s voice. The keeper gets to spend some quality time with the animals and forms bonds. “I love animals so being able to care for them and help them was a very rewarding experience. Also, just spending time with them, whether it was during grooming or cleaning out an enclosure would always make my day more fulfilling” (Cahill interview). This is the type of fulfillment is what I strive for in life.

The interactions that the keepers have with the animal are something that puts me in awe. I want to be able to have that type of interaction and bond with an animal. I want to know that I am caring for a creature of this earth. I observe the animals on my breaks at Brookfield. One day I want my observations to