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Professional Zookeeping: Foundations
Explore the basics of professional zookeeping through 16 hours of high-quality recorded content with industry experts. This introductory course covers animal welfare, behaviour, feeding, nutrition, health and safety, and the wider role of zoos across five units. It is entirely online and self-guided, with no practical elements, animal handling or in-person sessions. All lessons are in English with English subtitles, and you can complete one assignment per unit in your own time, with no assignment deadlines. Each assignment is marked by one of LSeT’s experts. The course builds introductory subject knowledge and does not replace supervised workplace training.
Course Curriculum
Working as a Professional Zookeeper
The Role of a Professional Zookeeper: Explore a keeper’s responsibilities and the standards that underpin professional animal care. Teamwork and Collaboration in Zoos: Understand how keepers work with colleagues to support consistent care and wider zoo activities. Communication and Digital Tools: Learn how clear communication and digital tools support information sharing across zoo teams.
Animal Welfare, Behaviour & Observation
Animal Behaviour and Observation: Learn how observing behaviour helps keepers understand animals’ needs and notice changes. Animal Enrichment Planning: Explore how enrichment is planned to encourage appropriate behaviour and support animal welfare. Animal Welfare Principles and Practice: Develop an introductory understanding of welfare principles and their role in care decisions.
Feeding, Nutrition & Daily Care
Feeding Techniques and Daily Diet: Explore the principles behind feeding routines and suitable daily diets. Nutrition and Animal Health: Learn how nutrition relates to health and why diets must reflect different species’ needs. Record Keeping for Daily Care: Understand how accurate feeding and care records support consistent decisions and communication.
Health, Safety & Handling Basics
Safe Animal Handling Methods: Explore handling principles and the importance of risk awareness and supervised workplace training. Health Observations and Treatments: Learn about recognising health changes and the keeper’s role in supporting veterinary-led care. Safety, Risk and Zoonoses: Understand basic workplace hazards, risk reduction and diseases that can pass between animals and people.
The Role of Zoos in Conservation & Education
History and Role of Zoos: Explore how zoos have developed and how their responsibilities have changed. Conservation Role: Learn how zoos contribute to conservation and how keepers support that work. Conservation Education: Explore how zoos help audiences understand animals, biodiversity and conservation.
What You Will Get
16 Hours of Expert-Led Content
Explore the foundations of professional zookeeping through high-quality, pre-recorded lessons with industry experts.
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Five Units of Zookeeping Foundations
Build introductory knowledge of the keeper’s role, animal welfare, behaviour, nutrition, health and safety, conservation and education.
Flexible, Fully Online Learning
Study animal care principles at your own pace, with no hands-on training, animal handling or in-person attendance.
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English Lessons and Subtitles
Follow lessons delivered entirely in English, with English subtitles to support your learning.
Five Expert-Marked Assignments
Complete one assignment per unit in your own time, with no deadlines, and have your work marked by one of LSET’s experts.
LSeT Certificate
Receive an LSeT certificate recognising completion of this introductory course in conservation education.
Who this course is for:
The Recent Graduate
Start exploring professional zookeeping.
The Career Change
Explore whether animal care interests you.
The Animal Lover
Build understanding of animal care and welfare.