Zoo Curator Hospitality & Retail Managers
SaveWhat Does a Zoo Curator Do?
Zoo curators are usually the position of middle-management within an institution. Much of their work involves oversight, management and development of the animal collection. Often this is related to animal husbandry and welfare policy, the acquisition and disposition of zoo animals, and development of new exhibits. Zoos normally acquire animals through captive breeding programs. The zoo collection, trade, and transport of the animals is regulated by government agencies as well as guided by zoo membership organisations. Consequently, zoo curators act as a liaison between these agencies and the zoo itself. Additionally, they play an active role in the administration of zoo functions and all kinds of captive breeding programs.
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Where Do I Start?
Animal Welfare Legislation
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Zoo Curator
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialAnimal Welfare Legislation knowledge
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
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EssentialApplied Zoology knowledge
The science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialAnimal Evolution knowledge
The evolutionary history of animals and the development of species and their behaviour through domestication.
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EssentialEnvironmental Legislation knowledge
The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialBudgetary Principles knowledge
Principles of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCorporate Social Responsibility knowledge
The handling or managing of business processes in a responsible and ethical manner considering the economic responsibility towards shareholders as equally important as the responsibility towards environmental and social stakeholders.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialAnatomy Of Animals knowledge
The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPhysiology Of Animals knowledge
The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialRecreation Activities knowledge
The field and characteristics of recreational activities for customers.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialZoo Regulations knowledge
National, regional and international regulations related to zoos.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnimal Acquisition knowledge
The relevant legal, recommended and ethical considerations related to the acquisition and disposition of animals.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnimal Breeding Programmes knowledge
Principles relevant to breeding programme management, such as population genetics and demographics, national and international legislation, policies and procedures of industry relevant organisations or associations.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdminister Treatment To Animals skill
Administer animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdvise On Animal Purchase skill
Advise clients and customers on the purchase of animals.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCoordinate Events skill
Lead events by managing budget, logistics, event support, security, emergency plans and follow up.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDelegate Activities skill
Delegate activities and tasks to others according to the ability, level of preparation, competence and legal scope of practice. Make sure that people understand what they should do and when …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop Recreation Programmes skill
Develop plans and policies which aim to provide the desired recreation activities to a target group or in a community.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Health And Safety Of Visitors skill
Take the necessary precautions to ensure the physical safety of an audience or people visiting an activity. Prepare actions in case of emergency. Administer first aid and direct emergency evacuations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEstablish Daily Priorities skill
Establish daily priorities for staff personnel. Effectively deal with multi-task workload.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFix Meetings skill
Fix and schedule professional appointments or meetings for clients or superiors.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Company Standards skill
Lead and manage according to the organisation's code of conduct.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialLiaise With Local Authorities skill
Maintain the liaison and exchange of information with regional or local authorities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Professional Records skill
Produce and maintain records of work performed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Budgets skill
Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Logistics skill
Create logistic framework for transporting goods to customers and for receiving returns, execute and follow up the logistics processes and guidelines.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Operational Budgets skill
Prepare, monitor and adjust operational budgets together with the economical/administrative manager/professionals in the arts institute/unit/project.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Staff skill
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Supplies skill
Monitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Project Management skill
Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPromote Recreation Activities skill
Promote the implementation of recreation programs in a community, as well as recreation services provided by an organisation or institution.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRepresent The Organisation skill
Act as representative of the institution, company or organisation to the outside world.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSchedule Recreation Facilities skill
Schedule the use of recreational facilities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSet Organisational Policies skill
Participate in setting organisational policies that cover issues such as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits for the service users.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSpeak Different Languages skill
Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupervise Daily Information Operations skill
Direct daily operations of different units. Coordinate program/project activities to assure the respect of costs and time.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess The Compatibility Of Individuals And Animals To Work Together skill
Ensure work harmony between humans and animals, regarding to physical characteristics, capacity, temperament and potential.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialChair A Meeting skill
Chairing a meeting for a group of people, in order to formulate plans and decisions that are carried out by the company.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop Zoonotic Disease Control Policies skill
Carry out research and elaborate policies, guidelines, and strategies for the control of zoonotic and foodborne diseases.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Health And Safety Of Staff skill
Promote and maintain a culture of health, safety and security among the staff by maintaining policies and procedures for the protection of vulnerable participants and when necessary, dealing with suspicions …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Catalogue Collection skill
Describe, inventorise and catalogue items in the collection.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Recreational Facility skill
Manage the daily operations of a cultural facility. Organise all activities and coordinate the different departments functioning within a cultural facility. Develop a plan of action and arrange the necessary …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Work skill
Supervise, instruct and plan work for teams or individual members of the team. Set up time schedules and make sure they are followed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Zoo Staff skill
Manage zoo staff, including zoo keeping staff at all levels and/or veterinarians and/or educators and/or horticulturalists.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOrganise Zoological Exhibitions skill
Organise zoological exhibitions and the display of live animals and zoological collections.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOversee Animal Management skill
Oversee all aspects of animal management.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRead Zoo Reports skill
Read and process the reports of zookeepers and other zoological professionals, and compile the information for zoo records.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Effectively With Other Animal-Related Organisations skill
Develop and sustain relationships with other organisations such as charities, government agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations and representative bodies, in relation to furthering animal health and welfare. Communicate veterinary principles and operate …
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 13 displayed)
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OptionalAnimal Transport Regulations knowledge
The legal requirements relating to safe and efficient transport of animals.
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OptionalZoo Exhibit Design knowledge
Understand the various factors that influence effective zoo exhibit design as well as the steps towards realising that design.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalCommunicate In English In A Competent Way language skill
Competent use of English; R351refers to level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOrganise Training skill
Make the necessary preparations to conduct a training session. Provide equipment, supplies and exercise materials. Ensure the training runs smoothly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAnalyse Transportation Costs skill
Identify and analyse transportation costs, service levels and availability of equipment; make recommendations and take preventive/corrective measures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCoordinate Export Transportation Activities skill
Coordinate all export transportation operations while considering export strategies and services.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCoordinate Import Transportation Activities skill
Oversee import transportation operations; optimise import processes and service strategies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Safe Working Protocols skill
Create clear, accountable, safe working protocols according to recognised zoo guidelines.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalLiaise With Transportation Companies skill
Establish relationships with transportation companies in order to negotiate advantageous agreements for the transport of goods and livestock.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPrepare Transportation Routes skill
Prepare routes by chosing the best possible way and foresee adjustments in case of need, by providing additional running time or adapting capacity and timing in response to changes in …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSolve Operational Transport Problems skill
Communicate with clients and providers in the event of a delay; undertake measures to provide solutions. Take decisions and work proactively in order to avoid operational problems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSpeak About Your Work In Public skill
Speak about your work to different kinds of audiences. Illustrate aspects depending on the audience and the occasion.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalStudy A Collection skill
Research and trace the origins and the historical significance of collections and archive content.
Course recommendations coming soon.