Become a ... zookeeper!

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Andrew Lentinie

Zookeeper, Amphibians & Reptiles 

Do you like the zoo? What kid doesn't? But if you really like zoo animals, the career for you is to be a professional zookeeper. These are the people that take care of the animals people see in the zoo. Spending all day with your favourite animals may sound like a ton of fun, but it's also a lot of work: you have to study the animal's environments and help take care of them when they're sick. It's like being a vet, a farmer and a scientist all rolled into one. Andrew Lentini, who's in charge of all amphibians and reptiles at the Toronto Zoo's Animal Health Centre, works with snapping turtles, bearded dragons, the royal python, the massasauga rattlesnake and lots of others. He's even wrangled African Dwarf Crocodiles!

KW: Why did you want to become a zoo keeper?

AL: I started working at the zoo during the summer while I was at university and had the opportunity to see what zookeepers did every day. I was attracted to the different things they were doing and the amazing animals they worked with. I was also attracted by the opportunities zookeepers have to help conserve threatened and endangered species.

KW: What's your favorite thing about your job?

AL: I work with new arrivals and animal patients in our hospital. Sometimes these animals are stressed or sick and it's my job to help them. I provide special attention to these and identify what they need to get better. Helping these animal settle in, start feeding and get better are my favorite parts of my job. I also get to work with a number of recovery teams and conservation groups helping threatened Canadian wildlife and threatened species worldwide. My job allows me to help individual animals and whole populations as well.

KW: How do you become a zookeeper?

AL: I worked here part-time following university and applied for a full time zookeeper job after a few months.

KW: Is it hard? Do you ever get hurt by the animals?

AL: Being a zookeeper involves hard work, dedication, commitment, and patience. The animals we work with need care seven days a week meaning that zookeepers work weekends and holidays. We also often work extended shifts. In the summer there are keepers here from 7 am to 8:30 pro. I also work in difficult conditions. Sometimes I have to work outside in all kinds of weather, from hot and humid days with temperatures around 35C to blizzards with freezing temperatures. Some of the animals I work with can also be dangerous. They can cause injuries and can also pass on disease. I use special tools and techniques to make sure that I can work safely with these.

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KW: Were you scared of any of the animals at first? How did you overcome that fear?

AL: I don't think I was ever afraid of the animals I work with. Sometimes I was nervous about a new animal because I did not know very much about it. But that passed as I learned more about the animal and how to work with it.

KW: What's the hardest thing about your job?

AL: I work with live animals and every living thing will eventually die. Despite our best efforts, sometimes we cannot help these animals and they die or we have to put them to sleep. Those are the worst days for me.

KW: Do you have a favorite animal?

AL: I really like snakes. The massasauga rattlesnake is Ontario's only venomous snake and I get to do a lot of work with this protected species. That is my favorite.

KW: How do you wrangle the African dwarf crocodiles?

AL: This is one of the potentially dangerous animals I work with. I don't do it by myself. I get help from other keepers that have also had special training in handling crocodilians. We have to make sure that both the keepers and animals are safe during a catch-up. We start by covering the animal's eyes since this helps keep them calm. Then we use special tools to control the animal's movement before we put our hands on them to hold them securely. Was also secure the jaw closed to prevent bites from their powerful mouths.

KW: If a kid wants to become a zookeeper when he grows up, what should he do? what should he focus on? Are there any wags to get involved at this age?

AL: Experience and education are both important if you want a career as a zookeeper. Many of the keepers I work with have a degree in zoology, biology or an animal-related field from a college or university. You can get animal care experience by working or volunteering at a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, wildlife rehabilitator or in agriculture.