The word "zookeeper" is spelled with a "z" instead of an "s" because the sound at the beginning of the word is a voiced alveolar fricative. In IPA phonetic transcription, this sound is represented as /z/. The "oo" is necessary to represent the long "u" vowel sound, which is spelled with two vowels in English. The "k" is added at the end to create a hard stop sound, as opposed to the softer "s" sound that could occur if the word ended in "s".
A zookeeper, also known as a zoological gardener or animal keeper, is an individual responsible for the care, management, and well-being of animals residing in a zoo or other wildlife facility. Primarily working in a zoological park, zookeepers perform a wide range of tasks related to the health, feeding, housing, and overall maintenance of animals in their charge.
The role of a zookeeper involves providing daily care to animals by preparing and serving appropriate diets, monitoring their behavior and health, and administering medications when required. They also create and maintain clean and safe living environments, managing enclosures, and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout the facility. In addition, zookeepers are responsible for planning and implementing enrichment programs for animals, ensuring they have opportunities to engage in natural behaviors and mental stimulation.
Moreover, zookeepers often engage in public education by conducting educational talks and interactions to inform visitors about the animals, their habitats, and the importance of conservation efforts. They may also participate in research projects, contributing to the study and understanding of wildlife biology and behavior.
In summary, a zookeeper is a dedicated caretaker who plays an integral role in the operation of a zoo. They work diligently to ensure the physical and psychological well-being of animals, promote conservation awareness, and provide valuable educational experiences for visitors.
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The word "zookeeper" is a compound word formed by combining the noun "zoo" and the noun "keeper".
The term "zoo" is derived from the shortened form of "zoological garden", which originated from the Greek words "zōon" meaning "animal" and "graphein" meaning "to write". In the late 18th century, the word "zoo" started being used to refer to establishments that exhibited live animals for public display and entertainment.
The word "keeper" is derived from the Old English word "cēpan", which means "to take care, guard, or look after". Over time, "keeper" has come to refer to someone who has the responsibility of maintaining, caring for, and supervising a specific place, area, or group of objects or animals.