Our animal experts

There are two main paths to becoming an animal keeper at a zoological facility. The first is suitable for people who want to study for longer periods of time, opting for a university course geared towards biology or psychology disciplines. 

Another option is to attend an animal keeper training centre. This route has the advantage of enabling students to enter the field more quickly thanks to numerous work placements in zoos and animal parks. They offer new recruits the opportunity to be trained quickly and to come into contact with real professionals who are passionate about their work and who will be able to assess their skills:

There are several routes to the job of animal keeper in zoological facilities.  

1. Either you like studies and opt for a university course in biology or psychology. 
   
2. Or you want to be in contact with animals more quickly, so you join a training course for animal keepers:
   

• by enrolling at a training centre (CFAA in Gramat, MFR in Carquefou, CFPPA in Vendôme);
• by following courses that are partly based on distance learning (IFSA, Cours Animalia, ACFI Conseil, Fauna formation, etc.).
  

For aquarists, scientific studies (e.g. aquaculture, biology degree) are necessary, usually complemented by an Aquariology course. Scuba diving experience is also very useful.

What does your job involve?

• Ensuring the welfare of the animals under my care.

• Sharing and raising awareness of my passion with the public. 

• Increasing awareness about protecting our environment, the marine world, etc.

What are your different tasks?

• Care and feeding of the animals.

• Training sessions.

• Maintenance and supervision of the animals' living quarters (hygiene and safety).

Is your work more physical, manual or intellectual?

All three, this job requires skills that are: 

• Physical: carrying buckets, swimming, freediving.

• Manual: creating enrichment items, maintenance and cleaning of living spaces.

• Intellectual: ability to take in multiple pieces of information about the animal, its environment, etc., in order to offer the animal the right session at the right time. It is also necessary to know how to set up adapted learning techniques, to create different enrichment activities and exercises to ensure the animal's wellbeing.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

• Advantages: job with passion = contact with the animals and the bond between the animal and its keeper, constantly learning about the animals... and about yourself, pleasant/outdoor setting, challenging, rewarding work.

• Disadvantages: shift work hours and holidays, physical constraints, emotional strain, salary...

What made you choose this job?

• Out of a sense of vocation, passion, conviction and love for animals.

What are the qualities required for this job? 

• Patience, ability to work independently, teamwork, ability to challenge oneself, geographical mobility.

Do you need special physical skills? 

• Be a good swimmer, be in good physical condition and not have a bad back.

Do you need to be able to speak one or more foreign languages?

• Yes, to communicate easily with other keepers (the teams are often multicultural), to communicate with the public, to read scientific publications (often written in English).

How many years of post-16 studies do I need?

It depends on the skills, motivation and the chosen course of study, but generally you should expect:

• 4 years if you attend an animal keeper training course (Bac+1);

• 3 years with IFSA (distance learning).

Where do you do your job?

• Mostly outdoors near the pools, but also indoors (specialised kitchen for food preparation) and occasionally on the move in veterinary laboratories.

Do you work alone or as part of a team?

• Always in a team for safety reasons and to avoid too exclusive an attachment between a keeper and "their" animal, and also in close partnership with the veterinarian, the keepers from other areas, the educational team and the technicians...

What are your working hours?

• Varying and flexible according to the seasons, with an increased presence during school holidays, weekends, public holidays, etc.

Do you consider that you are properly paid?

• This is a job of PASSION with a lot of competition to do it! Doing what you love on a daily basis is a source of wealth in itself. When responsibilities increase, so does the salary!

What advice would you give to a young person who would like to go into this profession?

• Persevere because many are called and few are chosen, protect yourself morally and physically and know how to take a step back.

• Have a plan B (professionally speaking).