Is being a zookeeper stressful?

Being a zookeeper can be physically and emotionally demanding. Zookeepers are at risk of getting bitten, kicked or otherwise injured when handling or restraining animals. They might have to manage stressful or difficult situations such as animals becoming injured, sick or euthanized.



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One reason is that many zoo keepers are new to the workforce and may not have the skills or experience to weather the challenges of the job. Zookeeping can be physically and emotionally demanding, and it is important to have strong coping mechanisms in place to handle the stresses of the job.

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The personal and professional satisfaction that zoo keepers find in their jobs varies from person to person. Most zoo keepers have a deep and lifelong love for animals and really enjoy providing for their day-to-day care.

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A Zookeeper in your area makes on average $19 per hour, or $0.71 (39.179%) more than the national average hourly salary of $18.01. California ranks number 19 out of 50 states nationwide for Zookeeper salaries.

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5 Surprising Health Benefits of Visiting Animal Zoos Most zoos have a zoo animals list that enables guests to know what animals they have. The companionship that said animals provide can be a huge help to people who are struggling with depression and loneliness.

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Health and Safety Risks Even an otherwise docile animal may lash out viciously if ill or injured. Serious injuries at petting zoos are less common, but zookeeper and visitors may come down with a serious, life-threatening illness from handling animals or touching fences and railings.

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Cleaning and maintaining animal habitats. Preparing food and feeding animals. Training animals so there can be safe exams and interactions. Observing animals' behavior throughout the day.

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What Are Some Pros and Cons of Zoos?
  • Animals Often Only Have Quite Limited Space. ...
  • Zoos Are Crowded. ...
  • Animals Are Trapped in Unnatural Environments. ...
  • Confinement May Alter the Behavior of Animals. ...
  • 'Surplus' Animals Can Be Killed. ...
  • Animals Are Often Mistreated. ...
  • Animals Don't Like Being Visited. ...
  • Animals Struggle to Form Connections.


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The salary range for a Zookeeper job is from $27,006 to $34,664 per year in the United States.

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Highest paying cities for Zookeepers near United States
  • Albuquerque, NM. $19.74 per hour. 11 salaries reported.
  • Houston, TX. $16.15 per hour. 5 salaries reported.
  • Santa Rosa, CA. $15.82 per hour. 7 salaries reported.
  • Dallas, TX. $15.64 per hour. 6 salaries reported.
  • Austin, TX. $15.00 per hour. ...
  • Show more nearby cities.


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Zookeepers have to use math all the time! They have to weigh the animals, see how long they are, measure out the food they eat and much more.

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“Elephants are known to cause more injuries and deaths to keepers than any other animal, by far.”

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Competition for jobs at zoos is intense despite the low pay and challenging working conditions. There are many more candidates than available positions. Most zookeepers enjoy their work, and turnover is low. The majority of new jobs result from the need to replace workers who leave the field.

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Many zookeepers devlop a very strong attachment to the animals the care for especially if they've been the care takers for many years or in some cases have assisted in raising the animal. Why do zookeepers like working with animals so much?

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Do zoos help or harm animals? While some suggest that zoos exploit captive animals and that wild animals should be wild, these facilities also present wildlife conservation attempts and learning opportunities as well. Zoos may introduce trauma to animals, but they are also taken care of in zoos.

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Zoos act as a safe haven for these animals who would be driven extinct otherwise by poaching, deforestation, or other loss of habitable ground, and environmental destruction caused by pollution. In zoos they are safe from all of these factors, and their rights are preserved and protected.

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Zoo animals with proper care and enrichment, for example, have similar hormone profiles, live longer, eat better, and are healthier than their wild counterparts. Why? Because life in the wild is hard. In captivity, it's easy.

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