Cool Careers
Part III Interview: Zoo Keeper
With Mr. Brent Van Hooft
Caring for all of the animals takes a tremendous amount of work from some very dedicated people. One of those people is Mr. Brent Van Hooft. Over the years he has worked with all kinds of animals as a Zoo Keeper but has been specialising in elephants for over a decade. His love of these beautiful creatures is evident and he has some great information to share.
» Photos courtesy of Calgary Zoo
How long have you been a Zoo Keeper?
I have been a Zoo Keeper for 30 years at Calgary Zoo. I have spent 11 years with the elephants.
How does one become a Zoo Keeper?
I started at home breeding tropical fish and cage birds. I worked during High School in two different pet shops. I started as a labourer with the City of Calgary, did four year apprenticeship in Zookeeping, then worked four years at the Zoo's breeding farm, then various postings as a Zoo Foreman, Technical Assistant, and Keeper in the Reptile section and Canadian Wilds.
What kind of educational background is needed? What courses would you suggest for high school students?
Definitely a science background with a focus on biology or Zoology is important. High School students would be well advised to complete biology, chemistry, and physics for a university entrance diploma. Also working or volunteering at a farm, animal shelter, or veterinary practice, especially with exotic animals goes a long way.
Are there professional associations for keepers?
Yes, there is the AAZK (American Association of Zookeepers) and the AZA (American Zoo Association) and CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums).
What is your typical day like? Do you work a regular shift?
My day starts at 7:00am and typically goes to 4:30 pm, however with the birth of the calf some days were 24 hour shifts, shifts now need us in the barn from 7:00am to 9:00pm
Are you involved in any animal research as part of your job?
Yes, record keeping is a daily part of our routine. We also work with our veterinarians and research staff on various projects.
What sort of paperwork or administrative work do you do as part of your job?
We keep daily records on all of our activities with the elephants (foot care, treatments, training, behaviour changes, diet changes, weight records, etc.)
Do you give talks to the public or help host special events?
Yes, all the time.
It sounds like there is a great deal of variety in your job. Now I have some questions about elephants in particular. Do you train the elephants to behave a certain way to help with the vet exams?
Yes, we train the elephants to cooperate with whatever the vets need to do such as rectal palpation, weighing, blood taking, inoculations, measurements, exams, footwork.
Can you tell me about elephant behaviour in terms of how Malti will be assimilated into the group (what is a group of elephants called)?
A group is called a herd. Elephants are somewhat like us, not everyone likes children. Those that take well to the calf get to spend time with her. Bulls generally do not have much to do with the calves.
How much did Malti weigh at birth? How much will she weigh when full grown?
At birth she weighed 308 lbs. She will weigh close to 7000 lbs as an adult.
How long does it take for an elephant to mature?
Elephants are like us that way, most body growth occurs in the first 15-20 years. Sexual maturity occurs at about 9-12 years. An elephant has potential to live to near 90 years, but average lifespan is near 50 years.
What myths and misconceptions are there? Are elephants really afraid of mice? Do they have long memories? Do they cry?
Elephants are not afraid of mice. Yes, they have good memory skills. Elephants display many emotions that we do (happy, sad, angry, jealousy).
What is their diet composed of and how much do they eat? Does Malti get milk from her mother? Did she receive formula? How long before solid foods?
Elephants eat many grasses, leaves, forbs, roots, and bark. They also like vegetables and fruit occasionally. An elephant can eat 300 lbs of fodder in one day. Elephants drink milk from their mothers for 2-3 years, and start to eat solid foods at about 6 months. Malti nurses regularly on her mother and receives additional goats' milk formula from us as well.
Tell me about their trunks and what they use them for. They seem quite dexterous. I read that young elephants need to learn to use their trunks- how is Malti doing?
Malti's trunk is gaining in strength and dexterity as time goes on, just like our children's hands gain strength and fine motor movement skills with time. Because there is no bone in the trunk, there are many more intrinsic muscles which need to develop pathways in the brain for control.
» An Asian elephant has one tip at the end of the trunk; an African elephant has two tips. These tips can be used to pick up a single blade of grass.
What is Malti's relationship with her mother?
Malti loves being with her Mom.
Are there ever companion animals that are paired with elephants to keep them company if there are no other elephants available?
Yes, dogs and horses come to mind.
How big are the ears of an adult elephant? How fast do the outer ears grow?
Asian Elephants have much smaller ears than that of an African elephant. The ears grow in the same ratio that the rest of the body does.
What can you tell me about an elephant's hearing?
It is one of their better developed senses.
Do elephants use their ears to communicate?
Yes, just like a horse or dog, the ears are used as a communication tool with their own kind and other animals as well.
I have heard that elephants make all kinds of sounds - what kinds of sounds do these elephants usually make?
Elephants can purr, growl, trumpet, scream, sneeze, snore, yawn, as well as producing infra-sounds, ours ears cannot detect the low frequency of these sounds.
What about "elephant seismic communication"?
Recent research has shown that elephants can detect sounds through their feet. This should not come as a surprise to us as we have this ability to feel sound vibrations in the ground as well.
What has been the best part about being a Zoo Keeper?
The best part of being an elephant keeper is the daily routine of caring for these intelligent animals and teaching people to appreciate them. Elephants like you back!
What has been the worst part?
Losing an elephant...they become like family.
What sorts of dangers does one face with elephants. The big cats seem more menacing, but are elephants generally docile and gentle tempered or can they be dangerous in unexpected ways?
Just like humans, elephants can be very loving and gentle, and they can also be very aggressive and dangerous. One must be aware of the fact that just as people are not in the same mood all the time, elephants are not either. They are also affected by hormonal changes just the same as we are. Lack of sleep can make them cranky. One must be constantly aware that an elephant can make a mistake or be clumsy from time to time. How often do we accidentally bump into someone in a hallway or store?
Are you cross-trained to work with other animals, and is this common?
Yes, all of our trainers have completed a 4 year Zoo Keeper apprenticeship, which is based on caring for all forms of animal life.
What is your favourite aspect of elephants and why elephants?
Working directly with them and developing a trusting relationship with each elephant individually.
Thank you so much for making the time to answer our questions! We really appreciate it.
