By: Elizabeth Membreno

WHAT I’M INTERESTED IN IS A ZOOKEEPER

Zookeeper

• What a zookeeper does is take care of wild animals and feeds the animals, also clean their living spaces, and work to keep them healthy. Zookeepers watch the animals to see if they are sick or hurt. Also zookeepers need to watch and listen carefully to notice any changes in behavior. zookeepers write detailed and notes about each animal and tell a veterinarian if there is any problem in an animal .

• Salary :The average salary in a animal caretakers yearly wages is $21,550.

Private : Delaware valley college

• About: Department of Animal Biotechnology and Conservation enables

students to pursue majors in Small Animal Science, Conservation & Wildlife Management, Therapy and Pre-Veterinary programs. Delaware Valley College holds one of two four-year Zoo Science programs in the nation.

• Requirement: High-school applicants enrolled in Advanced Placement

classes are encouraged to take the a AP test.

• Prerequisites: College Entrance Examination. Students with an AP grade of "3" or better will be excused from the appropriate introductory course and will receive credits for the course.

• Tuition: Average academic year costs for dorm student which includes

allowance for books and personal expense: $44,646.Average academic costs for commuter ( with parent) student which includes allowance for books and personal expense: $35,604.Average academic costs for an off campus student (online): $44,146

public : Western Illinois University School • About : The program in Zoo and Aquarium Studies provides detailed

knowledge about the biology of special groups of animals often kept in captivity like dolphins, seals, primates, big cats, canids, large birds, or large reptiles.

• Requirements: must have a GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)

• Prerequisites: Students must be able to meet the prerequisites of the courses required in the certificate program.

Certificate Requirements:

• I. Core Courses: 12 s.h.

• ZOOL 578 Zoo/Aquarium Practicum (3)ZOOL 584 Biological Studies in Zoos and Aquaria (3)

• ZOOL 553 Animal Behavior (3)

• BIOL 583 Organizational Management in Zoos and Aquaria (3)

• Tuition: Fall/Spring (per semester) $4,896.00

State College: Santa Fe College • About: Santa Fe College Zoo Animal Technology Program at Santa

Fe Community College was the first program of its kind, and the first to offer a great combination of academic classes and hands on experiences in the animal fields.

• Requirements: Students in the program will complete a 74 credit hour course of study over five semesters, including academic classes on all animal groups, animal nutrition, animal breeding, as well as visitor education.

• Prerequisites: High School Graduate or GED; 40 hour First Responder Course; Healthcare Provider CPR, or equivalent; in good standing as a student at SFC.

• Tuition: Out of State Cost $4528.92 / In State Cost $1228.32

"American Association of Zoo Keepers." Four-Year Programs « AAZK. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://aazk.org/zoo-keeping-as-a-career/zoo-keeper-training/four-year-programs/>.

Delaware Valley College. Web. 2012. <http://delval.edu/cms/index.php/ delval/overview_sn/animal_bio>.

Western Illinois University. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://www.wiu.edu/graduate_studies/catalog/post_bacc_certificates/zooaquastudies.php>.

"Visiting Hours." Santa Fe College. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.sfcollege.edu/zoo>.

THE END!