Animal Lovers Brave Danger in Dream Job as Zookeepers

Being a zookeeper is a dream job for many, but not everyone knows the the challenges and dangers the job comes with.

Transcript

00:00 Very few people have a daily routine like this, walking into an enclosure full of colorful

00:08 exotic birds, feeding them and looking after them.

00:14 It may seem like a straightforward job, but it's more challenging than it looks, with

00:19 a lot of details to pay attention to.

00:21 From cleaning the cages to feeding the animals, zookeepers have a lot on their plates.

00:26 "Whether it's setting up the exhibition, going up the mountain to find driftwood, or

00:31 finding something suitable for their herd, or when I say a group is going to be mixed

00:36 up, we need to do special observation."

00:40 Zookeepers need to know everything about the animals they look after.

00:43 That means doing their homework when they're assigned to a new species.

00:46 "You need to spend more time to understand and observe their condition and habits, so

00:53 that you can take care of them better."

00:56 And being a zookeeper has its risks, as they are not dealing with pets, but wild animals.

01:02 Tepezu says at least one zookeeper is hospitalized each year after an encounter with an animal.

01:08 "A giant lion is a carnivore.

01:11 It has no teeth, but it has a strong front arm, and its claws are very long.

01:19 So it looks harmless, but it's sensitive, and it's nervous.

01:25 If it's nervous, it might wave its hand, and you might bleed."

01:30 Though the job is challenging and sometimes dangerous, the zookeepers are dedicated.

01:35 "I like it.

01:37 I think you have to like animals, and have a passion for them, so that you can do it

01:44 for a long time.

01:45 You have to feed the animals, and poop normally.

01:49 And don't fight, don't get hurt, don't get sick.

01:51 That's what makes me happy."

01:53 This job certainly has its unique dangers and challenges, but for these animal lovers,

01:58 it's definitely a keeper.

02:00 Ysan Pan and Zainichi for Taiwan Plus.

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