Certificate of Achievement
has completed the following course:
Becoming a Zookeeper: A Virtual Work Experience Course
Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
You discovered what it takes to become a zookeeper in a modern, conservation zoo with this virtual work experience course. Through videos, interactive activities, discussions and real-world scenarios, you've learnt from ZSL's professionals to explore the skills, knowledge and responsibilities required to be a zookeeper. Your understanding of animal husbandry, enrichment, nutrition health and safety and conservation has developed and you've gained practical guidance to apply for roles.
10 hours
Katriona Elbourne
Professional Learning Manager
Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Transcript
Learning outcomes
- 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.
- Explain the vital link between daily zookeeping tasks and ZSL’s global conservation impact.
- Compare different zookeeping specialisms and career routes to determine the best path for your professional goals.
- Create a high-quality application and interview strategy tailored for the zoological industry.
- Report increased confidence in applying course knowledge and skills to job applications
Syllabus
Week 1 – Zoos and the zookeeping role
- Getting started and meeting your guides
- Introduction to ZSL and modern zoos
- Zookeepers in action
- Day in the life of a zookeeper
- Skills required to be a zookeeper
- Wrap up quiz and reflections
Week 2 – Caring for animals: nutrition and behaviour
- Animal welfare: the key needs
- Understanding animal diets
- Challenges of feeding
- Animal case studies
- Animal behaviour and enrichment
- Wrap up quiz and reflections
Week 3 – Caring for animals: enclosure design and health
- Relationships between vets and zookeepers
- Health observation case studies
- Animal training
- Principles of enclosure design
- Apprentice walkthrough
- Design an enclosure activity
- Wrap up quiz and reflections
Week 4 – Conservation, careers and reflection
- Roles of zoos in conservation
- Conservation breeding programme
- Propose a conservation activity
- CV application and interview tips
- Career pathways
- One next step discussion
- Wrap up quiz and reflections
In association with
Issued on 26th October 2026
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This certificate represents proof of learning. It is not a formal qualification, degree, or part of a degree.