Zookeeper Interview Questions & Answers

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Zookeepers are responsible for overseeing the well-being of animals and maintaining their facilities, often forming a close bond with the creatures they care for. In addition to interacting with animals, Zookeepers educate the public about animals and conservation at zoos, aquariums or animal parks.

Whether you're a job seeker preparing to be interviewed for the role of Zookeeper or an employer preparing to interview candidates for Zookeeper position, these Zookeeper interview questions will help you prepare yourself for the job interview session.

Zookeeper Interview Questions

Below are a list of some skill-based Zookeeper interview questions.

1. Why do you want to work as a Zookeeper?
2. Tell us more about your experience with animals.
3. Share an effective method you have used to ensure the safety of humans and animals in public petting and feeding areas.
4. When do you know not to approach an animal?
5. Is there a specific group of animals you’d like to work with?
6. What is your favorite animal to care for?
7. Describe your experience mixing food, liquid formulas, medications, and/or food supplements.  
8. How do you feel about participating in veterinary care when it comes to animals you will be responsible for as a Zookeeper? Do you have any experience with basic veterinary care?
9. Share an effective method you have used to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury in animals.
10. Provide an experience in which you effectively treated a sick or injured animal.
11. Share an experience in which you effectively cleaned, organized, maintained, and disinfected animal quarters.               
12. Provide an experience in which you successfully installed or repaired animal care facility equipment.
13. Provide an experience in which you successfully performed animal grooming duties.
14. Have you volunteered at this zoo before? If so, what was your experience like?
15. How do you stay on schedule with animal feeding, bathing, and exercise routines? What gets top priority when scheduling your time?
16. Why is it important to regularly measure an animal's weight?
17. Talk about a situation where you had to quickly adapt to inevitable changes as a Zookeeper.
18. Are you able to cope with stressful situations?
19. Share an experience in which you successfully exercised animals.
20. Describe your experience training animals to perform certain tasks.
21. When have you given a suggestion on improving an exhibit? Was your suggestion well-received?
22. Describe your experience anesthetizing and inoculating animals.
23. Share an experience in which you answered a difficult patron question or provided a patron with information about their animal.
24. Can you describe a time when your suggestion improved animal care?
25. In your opinion, what role does research work play in the job of a Zookeeper?
26. What is the state of your records of animal information? What is something you would like to improve? 
27. How would you go about engaging an audience with a lecture or demonstration?
28. What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
29. Talk about a time when you had to lead a team.
30. Talk about your education. How did it prepare you for this position?
31. How do you continue learning about animals now that you have finished University?
32. Have you ever mentored an apprentice Zookeeper?
33. Talk about some successful animal training programs you designed. What was the initial problem you wanted to solve, and did you?
34. Why are you the best Zookeeper for this zoo?

Zookeeper Interview Questions and Answers

Every interview is different and the questions may vary. However, there are lots of general questions that get asked at every interview.

Below are some common questions you'd expect during Zookeeper interviews. Click on each question to see how to answer them.

1. What is Your Greatest Weakness?
2. What is Your Salary Expectation?
3. Tell Me About Yourself
4. Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
5. Are You a Leader or a Follower?
6. What is Your Greatest Strength?
7. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
8. Why Should We Hire You?
9. What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
10. Why Do You Want This Job?

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