Becoming a Zookeeper: A Virtual Work Experience Course

Take your first virtual steps into the exciting world of zookeeping

Before the zoo opens, animals are being fed, habitats are being checked, enrichment activities are being prepared, and teams are already at work behind the scenes.

But what does a zookeeper actually do day to day? And what does it take to turn a love of animals into a career?

This virtual work experience gives you the chance to step into the world of zookeeping and get closer to the reality of working with animals. Whether you’re curious about a future in zoos, conservation, or animal care, the course offers an accessible way to explore the profession.

Spend a day in the life of a zookeeper

Get an insight into the role of a zookeeper and discover what their day really involves.

You’ll follow the routines, responsibilities, and challenges that shape a zookeeper’s day, from supporting animal care and welfare to maintaining habitats and working as part of a wider team.

Develop your understanding of animal husbandry, enrichment, nutrition, health and safety, and the important link between zookeeping and conservation.

Follow the trail into animal care careers

There’s no single route into zookeeping.

Learn from our early-career zookeepers who are successfully on the zookeeping pathway. This course helps you explore different routes into zoo work, conservation careers, and animal-related roles, including volunteering, study, work experience, and entry-level opportunities.

You’ll also have the chance to reflect on your own interests and skills to consider whether a career working with animals feels like the right fit.

Turn your experience into your next opportunity

Work experience is only valuable if you know how to talk about it. In the final part of the course, you’ll think about how to communicate your experiences through CV building, job applications, and personal statements.

This course is for young people aged 16 and above, who want to understand more about zookeeping or animal care careers. It’s ideal for learners looking for accessible virtual work experience to support CV building, job applications, or personal statements.

This course is for young people aged 16 and above, who want to understand more about zookeeping or animal care careers. It’s ideal for learners looking for accessible virtual work experience to support CV building, job applications, or personal statements.

• Identify the core skills, professional expectations and daily responsibilities of a modern zookeeper at ZSL.
• Apply key principles of animal husbandry, including enrichment, nutrition and health and safety, to real-world zoo scenarios.Â
• Explain the vital link between daily zookeeping tasks and ZSL’s global conservation impact.Â
• Compare different zookeeping specialisms and career routes to determine the best path for your professional goals.Â
• Create a high-quality application and interview strategy tailored for the zoological industry.Â
• Report increased confidence in applying course knowledge and skills to job applicationsÂ