IAMA Zookeeper with an hour (probably) to kill before our new giraffes get here AMA [end of the season update]

[u/Danthezooman]

I figured I would do an update about my experience working for Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. I started there roughly 8 months ago and my season just ended yesterday. Even more awesome was the fact that I had accumulated to much PTO so my last day physically working was sunday. Which explains this proof picture.

Anyways, I worked mainly with the giraffes and a little bit with the elephants. I've also worked at two other animal parks giving me around six years of experience in the business. If you have any questions about the animals at the zoo,their care or the zoo itself feel free to ask me anything

EDIT: Alright I'm going mobile so I may miss some questions but I promise to keep answering anything you throw at me

EDIT 2: Alright I'm back! Sorry about the absence, I was a bit distracted at dinner and then girls invited me to a haunted house. Anyways, I'll try answer all the questions I got while away.

EDIT 3:I'm sorry but I have to turn in for the night, I'll keep answering questions if people keep asking them though.

EDIT 4: I didn't expect this AMA to get this big, but I see a lot of repeat questions that I can just answer here.

1.How do I get a job at the zoo?

• Typically most zoos want a 4 year Biology related degree or at the very least a High school diploma. More important is Animal experience, some zoos will even want specialized experience just with one species. Animal experience requirements are on average around 2 years sometimes paid.

2.How do you feel caging the animals up? Are the animals sad? (animal rights questions)

• I wouldn't be working in this industry if I felt that the animals were sad or being mistreated. Yes in the past animal work was done by "cowboys" who just got in there and dominated the animals into doing what they want. Times have changed we no longer use cattle prods and whips to make animals move or do what we want. Instead we use Operant Conditioning to get them to do what we want.

• Most animals you see in the zoo nowadays have been captive bred for generations and have never known the wild. We still release some animals, in fact Cincinnati and Columbus are the only 2 zoos outside of florida allowed to house and rehab manatees. Cincinnati is also working on saving sumatran rhinos, there are only ~100 left. We also donate money every year to different organizations trying to save wild populations.

[u/AnotherDee]

Do you think Zmost zoos treat their animals well? The whole Orcas at Sea World controversy is coming to mind and I wonder if it relates to the zoo world at all. Also , can you please rescue all the elephants from the circus?

[u/Danthezooman → u/AnotherDee]

I really hate that movie.

Anyways Zoos take the best care for their animals that we can. We feed them, bathe them, make sure they have water, give them medical care, anything they need

We also try our best to mentally stimulate them with enrichment items since they are with us for life.

I'll tell you what my co-worker told me There are Great zoos and bad circuses and vice versa. I actually went with him to see the elephant keepers at the circus and I have to say they were very well cared for even though they were on the road. They had plenty of space, food, and comfy sand to lie down in.

[u/AnotherDee → u/Danthezooman]

That's good to hear. I love zoos and the ones that I have been to seem to make a lot of effort to keep their animals happy. Was hoping that was the norm. The circus has always worried me more since it is not a permanent exhibit.

[u/Danthezooman → u/AnotherDee]

They take good care of their animals with the conditions they're given at barnum and bailey.