About the National Zoo's Keepers

The National Zoo has a dedicated staff who provide outstanding care for the Zoo's large and diverse animal collection—2,000 animals representing 400 species live at the Zoo. The Zoo's keepers have a wide range of responsibilities, many of which may be unknown to Zoo visitors.

Keepers arrive at the Zoo bright and early, 365 days a year, to check on every animal. Before the buildings open to the public, keepers spend most of their morning cleaning indoor enclosures, yards, and tanks so that everything is spotless for the animals and the public.

Each animal has a specialized diet, prepared by keepers in the Zoo's Department of Nutrition. Keepers in the exhibits distribute the food and constantly assess the health of their animals. If an animal needs to recover from an injury or illness at the Zoo’s vet hospital, keepers provide extra care there.

Zoo keepers are very dedicated to the mental and physical well being of their animals. Many of the Zoo's animals are part of a training program using positive reinforcement so that when they are prompted to move toward something, allow a keeper to check for injuries or evaluate their overall health, the process is much easier.

There are several research programs involving keepers at the Zoo as well. Research on cognitive abilities, reproductive health, and natural biology in the wild allow keepers to learn more about the animals in their care.

Conservation is also a key part of a keeper’s job. Keepers are well educated about the conservation issues relating to the Zoo’s animal collection and work to aid conservation of the species in the wild. They also educate the public about the importance of conservation and steps that they can take to preserve an animal’s habitat in the wild.

Zoo keepers are a unique breed of people who devote their lives to the animals they care for. They work early in the morning, sometimes late at night, and occasionally overnight. Animals need care every day of the week, so keepers work weekends, holidays, and in all sorts of weather. Their jobs may not be very glamorous, but providing outstanding care for the Zoo's animals is truly rewarding work.

 

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Interested in learning more about the world of zoo keeping?

Check out the In the Field reports—many of them are written by keepers! Zoo keepers travel around the world to learn more about the animals they take care of, to help with research projects, to volunteer for conservation organizations, or to attend conferences. Read about keepers' adventures in the field.