Animal breeders at zoos and conservation centers require education and experience, with most facilities now requiring a bachelor’s degree. The focus has shifted to conservation, with breeders wanting to keep animals happy and healthy. Prospective breeders should gain experience early, focus on relevant degrees in college, and continue to work with animals to gain diverse experience. Animal husbandry is hard work, requiring physical fitness, odd hours, and patience. The best breeders develop relationships with their charges and can contribute to research.
Two things are needed to become an animal breeder at most zoos, wildlife parks and conservation centers: education and experience. Historically, many people who worked at these facilities worked from the ground up, learning from experience and eventually rising to senior positions. Today, most facilities need a bachelor’s degree at the very least from someone who wants to become an animal breeder, and may also require specialized training from their breeders, also known as animal attendants and animal caretakers.
The stricter qualification requirement for animal keepers is a reflection of changing norms in the zoo and conservation community. Such facilities were originally kept for entertainment, and although there was a desire to keep animals alive to maintain profitability, facilities were less interested in breeding programs and were generally not concerned if the animals were unable to thrive in captivity. In modern times, most animal breeders are interested in conservation; they want to keep their charges happy and healthy so they live long and have the potential to reproduce.
Someone who knows that he wants to become an animal breeder should get experience with animals as early as possible. In high school, working for a veterinarian, farrier, animal shelter, or willing zoo will give one the experience of being around and handling animals. In college, a prospective animal caretaker should focus on degrees like zoology, behavioral sciences, and related fields. Some colleges and universities specifically offer animal husbandry programs, which are highly competitive but provide excellent training.
While in college, someone training to become an animal breeder should plan to continue working with animals to gain diverse experience. Opportunities available to college students include things like summer field work with people who work and study wild animals. Upon graduation, the student can pursue additional training or enroll in zoological parks as a beginner. Initially, he or she will work under the supervision of an experienced keeper, but eventually it will be possible to move into a more senior position.
Animal husbandry is hard work. Someone who wants to become an animal breeder needs to be physically fit, willing to work odd hours and be patient. The best animal breeders develop relationships with their charges and can stay with them for a lifetime. A keeper who knows an animal well can identify early signs of illness and unhappiness and can also be involved in research, using daily experiences with animal accusations to contribute to the body of knowledge about animal husbandry.
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