Connecticut Zookeeper Explains What It Really Takes to Do the Job

Jen the Zookeeper is a regular on the I-95 Morning Show — our go-to expert whenever we need help tackling a wildlife segment. But what does a zookeeper actually do? We decided to ask Jen herself. Here’s what she had to say…

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What Makes a Kick-Ass (and Yes, Kinda Sexy) Zookeeper

A great zookeeper isn’t just someone who feeds animals and says “aww.” They’re part scientist, part coach, part personal trainer, and part professional poop detective.

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First, they really understand animals. They can tell if a tiger is stressed just by how it flicks its tail. They know when a giraffe is annoyed, bored, or just being dramatic. It’s like reading body language—except the body weighs 900 pounds.

Second, they’re masters of positive reinforcement. Instead of forcing animals to do things, they train them with rewards. A bear will calmly hold out its paw for a checkup because it knows a tasty snack is coming. That takes patience, consistency, and nerves of steel.

They’re also strong and hardworking. Cleaning enclosures, hauling food, building enrichment toys—it’s a full-body workout. Add in early mornings, all-weather shifts, and the ability to stay calm when something goes sideways? That’s confidence in action.

And here’s the truth: competence is attractive. Being calm under pressure is attractive. Caring deeply about living things is attractive. When someone can bottle-feed a baby otter at 8 a.m. and safely manage a lion at 2 p.m., that’s not just impressive—that’s kind of hot.

So yeah. A kick-ass zookeeper is smart, tough, compassionate, and probably smells faintly of hay. And somehow, that just works.