Zoo section leaders are responsible for managing and leading a team of zoo keepers. They will carry out daily care and management of animals as well as, in cooperation with colleagues, long term management and organisation of the species and exhibits in their section. They are also accountable for various aspects of staff management for the keepers in their section. Depending on the size of the zoo and animal section they may have additional responsibility for appointing staff and budgeting.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Bathing and feeding animals;
(b) Leading or carrying animals to treatment room and holding them during treatment;
(c) Cleaning and sterilising veterinary surgical instruments;
(d) Labelling drugs, chemicals and other pharmaceutical preparations and replenishing stock;
(e) Sterilising bottles, beakers and other equipment;
(f) Cleaning, organizing, and disinfecting animal quarters such as pens, stables, cages and yards, and animal equipment such as saddles and bridles;
(g) Collecting and recording animal information such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given and food intake;
(h) Training animals to develop and maintain desired behaviours for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding and other activities;
(i) Grooming animals by performing tasks such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails and cleaning ears.