“Properly designed and maintained enclosures are essentials to the managing of the animals. Everything should provide a safe environment for staff and visitors and also ensure that housing and husbandry stimulate the animals both physically and psychologically. Housing and husbandry should also enable the keepers to maintain and promote good animal welfare.”
– G. Hosey, V. Melfi and S. Pankhurst, Zoo Animals – Behaviour, Management, and Welfare, 2nd edn., 2013
Within this topic there are two competencies:
- General Maintenance: zookeepers can perform safe and appropriate maintenance of enclosures.
- Use of Tools: zookeepers can use tools appropriately and in accordance with recognized procedures.
| Zookeepers working at Competent level can: | Zookeepers working at Proficient level can: | Zookeepers working at Expert level can: | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5.1 General Maintenance | Perform daily checks and carry out basic maintenance of the enclosure Report potential issues to their supervisor |
Participate in repairing the enclosure where possible and report more complex issues to maintenance staff | Supervise maintenance process and develop maintenance management plan in association with appropriate colleagues and supervisors |
| 3.5.2 Use of Tools | Use and store simple tools correctly (e.g. shovel, hammer, rake) Perform routine maintenance of tools |
Use electrical tools in accordance to the safety protocols Demonstrate the ability to work safely at height Perform preventive maintenance of tools |
Coordinate use, storage maintenance and purchase of tools Manage the budget in association with financial staff |
Resources
- Handbook DMZAA Unit 5: Enclosure Design & Maintenance in Zoos & Aquariums – Sparsholt College
- G. Hosey, V. Melfi and S. Pankhurst, Zoo Animals – Behaviour, Management, and Welfare, 2nd edn., 2013
- The Modern Zoo: Foundations for Management and Development – EAZA
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Paths to fulfilment
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Last updated: 14/12/2017