ZOOKEEPING Meaning and
Definition
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Zookeeping refers to the management and maintenance of a zoo or a zoological garden. It involves the care and welfare of various species of animals kept in captivity, ensuring their physical and psychological well-being. The primary goal of zookeeping is to create an environment that closely mimics the natural habitats of the animals, while also providing for their nutritional needs, medical care, and exercise requirements.
Zookeepers are responsible for a range of duties, including feeding the animals a balanced and appropriate diet, cleaning their enclosures, monitoring their health, and providing enrichment activities to stimulate their natural behaviors. They also play a vital role in animal breeding and reproduction programs, as well as in the conservation and educational efforts of the zoo.
Additionally, zookeeping involves the implementation of proper safety protocols to ensure both the well-being of the animals and the safety of the visitors. This includes creating barriers, maintaining enclosures, and establishing guidelines for handling the animals.
Zookeepers often work closely with veterinarians, nutritionists, and other specialists to ensure that the animals receive the best care possible. They must also possess a strong knowledge of animal behavior and species-specific requirements.
Overall, zookeeping is an essential profession that requires dedication, patience, and a genuine love for animals. It aims to provide a safe and enriching environment for captive animals while offering educational opportunities for visitors to learn about different species and conservation efforts.
Etymology of ZOOKEEPING
The word "zookeeping" is a compound word comprised of two parts.
The first part, "zoo", is derived from the shortened form of the word "zoological", which itself comes from the Greek word "zōon" (ζῷον) meaning "animal". The term "zoo" is used to refer to a facility or institution that exhibits and cares for a collection of live animals.
The second part, "keeping", is derived from the Old English word "cēpan", which means "to care for" or "to attend to". It eventually evolved into the modern English word "keeping", which refers to the act of maintaining, preserving, or looking after something.
Therefore, the term "zookeeping" can be understood as the practice, profession, or art of caring for and managing animals in a zoo or similar institution.
