Zoo Keeper Interview Questions

Are you familiar with zoonotic disease & what it means?

Zoonotic disease is such that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The infectious pathogen normally determines the route of infection or mode of transmission, as part of its life cycle. In general terms, infectious organisms can be grouped according to type - such as bacteria, viral, fungal and parasitic. Presently there are over 200 recognized zoonotic diseases. Using good husbandry and hygienic practices can significantly reduce the risk of infection. For example: use of barrier techniques and appropriate personal protective equipment such as latex or vinyl gloves, using footbaths, masks, and eye protection while hosing or in close contact with animals; severity of bites and scratches can be reduced by garment protection. Also, having an effective policy for cleaning (removing the offending debris such as urine or feces), sanitizing (cleaning the surface with a detergent or cleaning agent), and disinfecting (which has a "kill time" and a "kill rate"), and understanding the difference between the three. A possible fourth step is sterilization. A few examples of zoonotic diseases include: rabies, malaria, plague, psitticosis, west nile virus, tuberculosis, influenza, and hepatitis.

What would you do if you found a lock unlocked?

An unlocked lock can mean different things depending on what it belongs to. If it belongs to an animal exhibit or a secondary containment area, then it is serious and needs to be addressed immediately. The first thing I would do is to quickly look over the scene to determine if any animals are unaccounted for or are where they don't belong, as well as to determine my own safety and whether or not I need to begin an emergency response. I would then secure the lock and try to determine why it was unlocked in the first place. I would report it to my supervisor and, if possible, I would prefer that the person who left it unlocked in the first place go with me and that we inform the supervisor together.

What is the importance of enrichment?

By definition, enrichment is a husbandry technique utilized to promote both the mental and physical health of an animal by enhancing the environment with challenges, novelty, and unpredictability; providing enrichment can reduce stress, stimulate natural behaviors, increase activity levels and gives the animal choice and a sense of control in their environment. Some different types of enrichment include environmental (furniture, substrates, complexity, exhibit rotation), sensory (visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile), foods and feeding (delivery, presentation, frequency), manipulative/toys (boomer balls, boxes, kong toys), behavioral/social (intra/inter specific interactions, training).

Talk about pregnancy.

Clues of pregnancy include behavioral changes such as nesting or denning, lack of interest in or rejection of male advances, cessation of sexual cycling, increased abdominal size, enlargement of mammary glands, and changes in genitals (such as increased vulva size). Some indicators of health problems in pregnant animals include remaining isolated, a depressed state, sluggishness, heavy parasite infestation, unusual nervousness, aggression from other animals, abnormal vaginal discharge. Some indicators of impending partition include mother seeking isolation, denning up or nesting, aggression by mother toward other animals, panting, observable contractions, assuming parturition posture and broken water.

What role, if any, does entertainment have at a zoo?

Entertainment plays an important, and even crucial role at zoos. In order for a zoo to have any chance whatsoever of achieving its mission, it needs to reach people - to teach respect and inspire an appreciation for wildlife & wild places, as well as encourage thought and action. One of the best ways to do this is a well-designed wildlife show or demonstration. Seeing animals in action and interacting with wildlife has been shown to capture peoples' attention and action more so than merely seeing the animals in an exhibit (although a well designed exhibit is of fundamental importance and a key to success - health of the animal, functional for the keeper, and the perception of the public)

What do you think about animal contact with the general public?

I believe it's important because those kinds of interactions with animals have been shown to capture people's attention and interest. However, nearly every contact situation carries some risk of disease transmission between animals and people - this is known as zoonotic disease. To reduce the risk, the public should have access to hand washing facilities in all contact areas, trained staff should supervise the area and human food consumption shouldn't be allowed in the area.

What job aspect is the most crucial?

If I had to choose just one, I would say communication; communication among co-workers, between management and employees, between keepers and the animals, and between the zoo and the public. Good communication skills requires work and effort and most people, as well as organizations, are not nearly as skilled at it as they would like to believe. Communication and what you communicate is the basis for good relationships

How do you prioritize your workday?

If I haven't been in a particular area for a while or am just coming off of a weekend, then the first thing I'll do is read the daily reports for that area so I know what's happening in the area. After that I would do a headcount and body check of all the area's animals while at the same time observing the exhibits for anything that appears out of the ordinary. Then, depending on the area's normal routine, I would either start preparing diets or cleaning enclosures. Medications are often placed in an animal's diet or given out during training. Enrichment is typically placed in the enclosure during cleaning. Finally, training can occur anytime throughout the day.

Tell me about SSPs?

It's a program that was started by the AZA in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program in zoos and aquariums throughout North America. The goal is to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. Currently there are xxx SSPs covering more than xxx species. The mission of the SSP program is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species. Each SSP has a species coordinator who is assisted by committees of elected experts. Fundamental to the success of SSPs is a studbook, which contains vital records of an entire managed population of a species, including births, deaths, transfers, and family lineage. SSPs also develop husbandry manuals that set guidelines for the diet and care of a species. SSPs participate in other conservation activities, such as research, public education, reintroduction, and field projects.

What do you look for or what don't you like in a manager?

Now that's an interesting question that I've never been asked during an interview. • I want a manager who is willing and interested in listening to what it is I or others have to say • I want their respect and courtesy • I want mentoring, and the benefit of their experience • I want them to understand and know the job that I do • I want their support in doing my job • I want them to understand what my professional goals are and their help in reaching them • I want managers who are still learning, because it's really hard to be around or work for someone who believes that they already know everything • I want to be corrected when I make a mistake, but in a professional manner (in other words, step on my toes when you need to, but don't mess up my polish) • I want flexibility • I want to feel appreciated and valued • And I want to be challenged so I'll grow

46. How would you determine an animal's health?

One of the best ways is by learning an animal's baseline and species characteristics. What I'd want to look for would include such things as: • Weight changes • Pelage condition • Body symmetry • Fecal abnormalities or placement • Eating and drinking patterns • Social interactions • Eye clarity • Activity level • Sleeping patterns • Locomotion

Why train?

Perhaps one of the most important reasons is that it reduces an animal's stress of handling by voluntary cooperation with husbandry and veterinary procedures. Some other reasons are that it facilitates daily management (reliable shifting); it improves social dynamics (introductions, mothering skills); it enhances psychological well-being of an animal (sense of control, provides stimuli, creates activity); it's good for the staff because it reduces the risk of injury and aggression, and it maintains a relationship between the animal and keeper.

What are some critical health problems that require immediate veterinary care?

Severe blood loss, respiratory difficulties, disorientation or lack of coordination, inability or difficulty of movement, sudden onset of diarrhea, inability or difficulty in urinating, sudden cessation of fecal passage are all some examples.

Talk about restraint and handling?

Some reasons for restraint and handling include routine and preventive care, emergency medical treatment or evacuation, a move to another enclosure or facility, and, in some situations, to break up fights, and to recapture escaped animals. Some animal manipulation technique classifications are manual (keeper's body), behavioral/psychological, directive (rake), restrictive or confinement (nets, pole snare), diminishing sense perceptions (covering eyes, jacklighting), and chemical.

Rank the following 4 words in order of importance to you & tell me why: conservation, research, education, entertainment (there is no right or wrong answer)?

That can be a little difficult because they are all so interconnected. Conservation is the highest goal and if I were to relate it to the building of a house, conservation would be the final product. Conservation, however, like a house, needs a strong foundation, and this is what I would liken research to. Because a zoo cannot achieve its ultimate goal of conservation by itself, educating the public is essential. I would liken education either to the key that unlocks the door to the house of conservation or to the lights that illuminate that house. It's the public that applies the political pressure that pushes governments to enact the changes that will make a difference. Finally, entertainment plays a role in fostering a sense of appreciation for wildlife and wild places, and this would be the "interior design" that makes a house a "home."

How do you react to criticism?

That depends on the delivery and motive of the criticism. If it's done in a helpful, well-meaning manner, then I'm appreciative. If it's done in a hostile or condescending manner, I'm more likely to have irritable feelings toward that person. I will still, however, take note of what it is they had to say - just because their motive or delivery wasn't okay doesn't mean that they didn't have a valid point. The fact is, if I'm doing something inappropriately or ineffectively I want to know about it.

How do you deal with time constraints/stress?

That is something that I'm still working on improving. I know that quality of work suffers when a person rushes through it, so being organized is something that I believe is important for anyone who wants to use time effectively. Learning to prioritize and to do the important things first; breaking down big projects into smaller steps, and then learning how to recognize progress along the way. Also, learning how to get a quick start - many of us waste a lot of time in start-up rituals. Some ways to do this include: • Preparing mentally. Knowing what I want to accomplish ahead of time • Having tools and equipment assembled and accessible before I begin • If I'm not ready to start at the beginning, then starting someplace else - although I can't escape certain sequences, many jobs have a great deal of flexibility • Finally, it doesn't necessarily matter where I start, but rather, that I start I would have to say that the best way to manage stress is by understanding its nature. Stress isn't "out there" someplace, in the evil boss, the annoying co-worker, or the traffic jam. Those are the triggers. Stress is inside a person and is a psychological response to life's challenges. So it's really about learning how to respond. Also, I would say that it's important to make a point of getting enough rest, which most of us don't, making a point to exercise regularly, which most of us don't, and eating a balanced diet.

How do you handle a problem with another keeper? Example?

The best way is to communicate with that person in a professional, even-tempered non-accusatory manner. Keeping an open-minded, objective perspective is important. Also, whenever possible, I try to do this in private (it's very important that a person be able to "save face" and not be put on the defensive). I also try to recognize when something is merely an inconvenience, a preference, or an actual problem. The key is to look for a solution and not to try to show "who's the boss." If this doesn't work and I feel it's necessary, then I'll go to my supervisor - this is something that I would prefer to keep as informal as possible. Making a point to keep relationships positive to begin with goes a long way towards avoiding problems to begin with.

What do you think some of the responsibilities of a zookeeper are?

The primary responsibility of zookeepers is the husbandry and care of animals. This would involve the cleaning of exhibits and enclosures, preparing diets, administering medications, taking an active role in enrichment and training. Being a zookeeper is also a very physical job requiring people to be on their feet for long periods of time, heavy lifting, and working in a variety of weather conditions. It would involve, at times, participating in the design of enclosures, as well as interacting with and educating the public on issues of conservation.

What if visitor complains that an animal isn't doing anything?

This is a great opportunity to teach a visitor a little bit about an animal's behavior. For example, cats spend a relatively large part of their day sleeping, about 2/3s of the day, whereas giraffes only require a small amount of sleep out of every day, they only need about 20 minutes of deep sleep a day. Reptiles and amphibians don't sleep, but they do rest. Some animals tend to be more active in early morning or evening hours. I would then direct the visitor to animals that are more likely to be active at that particular time or tell them of some scheduled animal demonstrations.

What is the purpose of quarantining newly arrived animals?

To protect them from exposure to diseases it hasn't built up immunity against, to protect the animals in the collection from disease or parasites it might carry, to give the animal a chance to acclimate to a new environment, and to give the hospital staff an opportunity to evaluate the animal's health and condition. When quarantining an animal, it should be kept separate from other animals, it should have its own cleaning tools, barrier techniques should be used, and traffic through the area should be minimized.

What are some common tests to diagnose known/suspected health problems or monitor effects of medication/treatment?

Urinalysis, fecal testing, blood testing, and chemically analyze hair or skin.

What are the steps you would take to resolve a problem in training?

A person should first analyze the problem. Is it environmental, such as other people or animals in the area, the facility itself, or are there nearby activities going on, etc.; are inconsistent or inappropriate techniques being used; are social dynamics involved such as dominance, breeding, or parenting; does the animal have health or psychological issues; is the behavior being asked for appropriate for the species, age, sex, etc

What are the "how to" basics of training?

A person should start with knowledge of an animal's history, physiology, health, and behaviors. From there a person should develop a shaping plan that identifies resources (consultation, time, personnel, facilities, etc) and goals (proximate and ultimate), a shaping plan also outlines specific steps in the training process, and identifies specific criteria such as methods, commands, cues, reinforcements, and time and location of sessions. At this point it's time to begin training: here a person establishes a bridge by pairing with the chosen primary reinforcement, begins shaping in small increments, and constantly evaluates progress and problem solves as needed. When training it's important to work as a team (consult, communicate, cooperate, and consistency)

What does AZA accreditation mean to you?

AZA accreditation certifies an institution is currently meeting accepted standards established by the AZA, although it doesn't identify the level of achievement beyond those standards. These standards are held high and only about 215 or so animal exhibitors in N. America are accredited out of around 1600 or so. Accreditation is re-evaluated every 5 years. Some of the areas scrutinized and evaluated are the institution's governing authority, its staff, the working relationship between an institution and its support organization, financial stability, the physical facilities, safety and security, the animal collection, veterinary care, its conservation program, its education program, and, if applicable, its research program.

What do you feel are some of the most important goals of a modern zoo?

As caretakers of living collections zoos have not only a great responsibility, but also greater expectations placed on them by the communities they were created to serve. Conservation is the highest goal of a zoo, and this has many components. For example, education has enormous potential to shape public opinion by helping us refocus our views of wildlife and wild places. Which is critical because it is the public that applies the political pressure that pushes governments to enact the changes that will make a difference. Also, research within zoos is vital and useful for conservation efforts in the field. The fact is zoos cannot accomplish its mission in isolation; the zoo community has power in its ability to cooperate and share resources. For example, in recognizing the AZA's financial resources, expertise, and energies, the USFWS realized that their endangered species recovery programs would be more effective in cooperation, and so signed a MOU in 1998 with the AZA. Propagation within zoos is important, but it's specialized and limited in its ability to "save a species" - the fact is, zoos have a tiny captive care capacity. So, although at one time the focus of conservation within zoos was on the individual species, today's zoos are beginning to focus on habitats and ecosystems. CAPs provide zoos with these types of opportunities. Zoos can and must become gateways to the wild - and to do this zoos must learn to engage, inspire, and empower the people they come in contact with.

How do you feel about euthanasia & why?

Because these animals are in our care, the key to using euthanasia is the animal's quality of life and should never be taken lightly. Three groups of people that should be involved in this decision are the keepers involved in the animal's daily care, hospital staff, and animal care management.

What are your priorities in a code red (dangerous animal) emergency?

Before a code red occurs it is my responsibility to be familiar with the zoo's emergency procedures manual, and to review it regularly. Each area has specific responsibilities as well as general responsibilities. If calling a code red, I need to ramp up to emergency channel on the radio immediately. At this point I need to identify the animal, its location, and its direction of movement. If I can safely do so, I need to keep visual contact with the animal and give updates of its location movement patterns. Public and staff safety come first, then the welfare of the animal. A perimeter needs to be set-up to establish a containment of sorts (keeping flight distance in mind) for the animal, and to keep the public and non-essential personnel in a safety zone. Other animals that may have escaped need to be accounted for. The shooters location and line of fire need to be verified. It's important that any and all radio transmissions be kept short and to the point and involve only those relevant to the emergency. Also, all personnel need to listen for and be ready to follow all directions given by the ES.

What is the importance to sticking to an animal's diet sheet?

Diets are specifically designed by qualified staff such as veterinarians or nutritionists to provide a proper balance and proportion of vitamins and minerals for a particular species as well as individual animals. There are several nutritional factors considered in diet development such as what feeding category the animal is in (carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, frugivore, insectivore, etc); also, is an animal's nutritional needs being influenced by stress, pregnancy, or illness? Another consideration is quantity of food which is influenced by the animal's weight, activity level, and eating habits. Any change in diet needs to be introduced gradually to avoid major upset to the digestive system; to overcome habituation to certain foodstuffs; and to allow identification of possible adverse reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, abnormal weight change, behavior changes, or disease caused by dietary imbalances.

If you were to design an enclosure, what steps would you take?

First I would want to start by determining what the right questions are. For example, what do we want and what do we already have? Three themes for grouping zoological collections are taxonomic (according to scientific classification), geographic (where the animals are found), and bioclimatic (compatible species displayed together with plants found in their natural environment in their natural climate. Second, how will the species be presented? Will there be an emphasis on biology, natural history, conservation, education, or some combination of these? Third, we'd have to identify our resources: public, private, and in-house. Then we would need to investigate design criteria for the specific species, which would include interviewing those who have worked with that species, studying available literature and other zoo designs for that species. Using models and mock-ups are useful for visualizing the final product. It's also important to design for animal escapes, which would include such things as secondary containment, attention to views and keeper protection since the keeper's life may be at risk (parabolic mirrors, keeper doors with spring or gravity latch to automatically catch, keeper doors with throw bolts in hallway to serve as a safety zone, windows covered with cage mesh or bars, panic alarms, etc) We would also have to consider the holding areas, which ultimately would determine the number of animals on exhibit. A well-designed enclosure will meet the needs of the animals (psychologically and physically), the keepers (safety and ease of maintenance), and the public (increase appreciation and foster an interest in conservation).

What expectations do you have of the people you work with?

For the most part I have the same expectations that I have for myself. I expect my co-workers to treat one another with courtesy and respect. I also expect professionalism and teamwork.

Explain the need for observational skills?

Good observational skills are important for many reasons, which include the safety of the staff and public, as well as the animal collection. Learning an animal's baseline will enable a keeper to know what's normal and when something is wrong or has changed. This could involve an animal's health, being aware of an animal's mood, or even noticing a change in a group's social structure. Good observational skills should also be directed at the exhibit itself. Are there cracks developing in a wall? Is there a tear in the aviary netting? Is a door hinge coming apart? Is there a smell of mold in the exhibit? Is there a nail protruding from a wall? Are there any animal byproducts such as hair, feathers, vomit or diarrhea? Observation is a skill that should be consciously developed.

What do you feel your role is in a team approach/how would you participate in promoting a positive outlook and team atmosphere-both within the team and across departments zoowide?

I have to start by remembering that a team is basically a group of people who work together to achieve a common goal. One of the strengths of a team is a diversity of individuals that bring (or should bring) different strengths, insights, experiences, perception, knowledge, creativity, and ideas. It's really important to try and balance out the different strengths and weaknesses on any team; to celebrate the strengths, successes and accomplishments of teammates. One of the most important roles that I would have as an individual on a team is to align my goals with those of the team (which need to align their goals with the department, which needs to align its goals with the organization). Remaining objective, flexible, and available is important characteristics for any team member, as well as striving for continues improvement. And I shouldn't forget that developing good communication skills is critical to the success of any individual, team, or organization.

How would you deal with a co-worker with whom you don't get along?

Well, there's a saying, "the world is full of bozos and I'm one of them." As people, we just seem to keep getting in each other's way. I would have to say that my strategy is trying to remain flexible, objective, and not being judgmental about other people. I don't always succeed. I do try to remain positive in my interactions with other people and if I just can't get along with someone, then I'll keep my interactions to a minimum. At this point, I think it's important to avoid personalizing interactions and remaining focused on the task at hand in a professional manner; in other words, learn the difference between personal problems and work problems.

What are some of the different kinds of chemical agents & drug classes that a keeper might be involved with?

• Dissociative agents numb brain's ability to register what body is experiencing • Muscle relaxants interfere with action of skeletal muscles • Narcotics induce profound sleep, lethargy, or relief from pain (ex: M-99, Carfentanil citrate) • Tranquilizers produce some sedation, or simply calms and relaxes (ex: valium, xylazine) A single drop of many chemical agents can be lethal to humans, and so extreme caution must be exercised.

Talk about some wildlife regulations?

• The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) passed in 1973 and falls under the USDC and the USDI. It includes both endangered and threatened categories. It prohibits commercial trade in endangered species (the animal, or any part or product thereof) except under permit (issued by the USFWS) for scientific or breeding purposes. It allows trade in some species of the threatened category, if their status allows such trade without detriment • The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) passed in 1966 and protects certain animals from inhumane treatment or neglect. It's administered by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and applies to "warm-blooded" animals except those used for food, fiber, or other agricultural purposes. It doesn't apply to reptiles or birds. Some of the regulated animal exhibitors include circuses, zoos, wildlife parks, and nature preserves. Compliance inspections cover such things as housing, ventilation, lighting, sanitation, pest control, record keeping, veterinary care, proper handling, and so on. • The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is implemented in the U.S. by the Endangered Species Act and falls under the USDI. It was drafted in 1973 and came into effect in 1975 and is the result of 10 years of effort by the IUCN (the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). It's a worldwide treaty regulating trade in endangered, rare, and protected species of wildlife and plants. It has 3 categories: Appendix I contains species threatened with extinction and trade is authorized only in exceptional circumstances. Appendix II contains species not necessarily presently threatened with extinction, but may become so unless their trade is subject to strict regulation. Appendix III contains species identified by each country party to CITES as being subject to conservation regulation within its jurisdiction, and requiring cooperation of other parties to make such regulation effective. • The Lacey Act was the first federal wildlife law. It was enacted in 1900 as the result of devastating wildlife slaughters of the 19th century (example would be the extinction of the passenger pigeon and Carolina Parakeet). It makes it a violation of federal law to import, export, transport, sell, or receive any fish or wildlife taken or possessed in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the U.S. or any of its states, or any Indian tribe or any foreign country.