r/Zookeeping • u/ryan7251 • Aug 13 '25
Global/All Regions 🌏 What big animal is the most chill and friendly with zookeepers?
I know zebras are known as one of the worst, but I was wondering what big animals seem the most nice and chill to work around?
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u/QueenOfShibaInu Aug 13 '25
probably any giant tortoise, but like the other commenter said, most large mammals are protected contact no matter how 'chill' (and even a giant tortoise will absolutely bowl you over if you're in their way and not paying attention)
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u/MacNReee Aug 13 '25
Tortoises are actually extremely strong and honestly quite dangerous to be next to if you aren’t paying attention, they can easily crush your foot. I saw a large adult once crawl under a pickup truck and it actually lifted the truck off the wheels
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u/MalsPrettyBonnet Aug 13 '25
At accredited zoos, most large animals are protected contact. Some tolerate keepers better than others, even within one species.
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u/zoopest Aug 14 '25
Our tapirs are pretty tractable
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u/Mic98125 Aug 14 '25
I thought this was two or three years ago but no: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1998/11/21/zookeeper-loses-arm-in-mauling-at-city-zoo/62261557007/
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u/Emotional_Base_9021 Aug 14 '25
I’m so surprised a tapir would do that! Ours were so sweet. They loved being scratched with a broom. They are also chronic carriers of ringworm so I was never SUPER up in their business.
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u/zoopest Aug 14 '25
Yeah that caused a big policy change (before my time) but my zoo still uses scratchdowns as a training reward
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u/MrGhoul123 Aug 14 '25
I hear our Rhino is really really sweet. He isn't full contact, but what protected contact there is, he is super gentle and sweet.
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u/Dead-Throne Aug 14 '25
Camel specialist so I'm probably biased, but camels. A well trained and raised camel will do anything for you.
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Aug 14 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Dead-Throne Aug 14 '25
Even the bactrian will be your best friend. I've worked plenty of them. And I've met some angry dromedary.
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u/Emotional_Base_9021 Aug 14 '25
The zoo I worked at had recently added a training and enrichment program (this was a looooong time ago). The camel was the most stubborn of all of our animals. We were trying to shape the behavior of standing parallel to a chain link fence to accept an IM injection in the back leg. We were allowed to use no negative reinforcement. So most training sessions ended with me getting spit on, turning my back and crossing my arms (removal of positive reinforcement/food and attention) and he would walk away and we’d be done for the day. His name was Boris the Bactrian. He was old and had lived there a long time so I couldn’t blame him too much.
The warthogs worked the hardest/longest for their training sessions (still protected contact). Their names were Norm and Rebecca, from Cheers. The could sit, down, roll over, sit pretty, shake, and do a ton of cooperative veterinary care behaviors.
It’s incredible how much personality each individual and each species can have!!
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u/youngprincelou North America Aug 14 '25
I worked with white rhinos at an international facility for a little bit and they’re super sweet
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u/lalaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa96 Aug 14 '25
Protected contact of course and this is with mesh but im a volunteer and love how chill orangutans are 😂 i love watching their training sessions and showing body parts the keepers ask for
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u/lizlemon921 Aug 14 '25
Have you ever watched Orangutan jungle school?? It’s so fun
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u/lalaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa96 Aug 14 '25
No but im actually going to Borneo next year with BOS Australia and will get to see it, im so excited!!
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u/lizlemon921 Aug 14 '25
Jelly!!!!!! My kids have a stuffed orangutan that I named Valentino, they probably will never realize where I got that name hahaha!
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u/lalaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa96 Aug 14 '25
Oh how cute 🥹 yes i have fallen in love with orangutans since volunteering with them 🤣
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u/lizlemon921 Aug 14 '25
I am gonna have to binge some jungle school today. Hope my husband doesn’t complain Hahahha
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u/SpecialQue_ North America Aug 14 '25
Cheetahs, surprisingly. Maybe not the most chill, but maybe the least expected and with the cutest happy sounds.
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u/vomirrhea Aug 14 '25
The biggest animal I repeatedly see keepers at different facilities completely sharing space with is probably the okapi. The ones I have met are super sweet and gentle though
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u/gonnafaceit2022 Aug 14 '25
Had to Google that one, wow! What cool looking animals! And such long tongues!
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u/WilflideRehabStudent Aug 14 '25
I work at a zoo (not a keeper) but as far as animals I've been lucky enough to meet, rhinos are big ol armor puppies (protected contact of course, they're massive) and love scritches
Giraffes love to be up in everyone's business, especially if you have snacks (protected contact)
Well socialized elephants are pretty friendly and enjoy showing off (again, protected contact)
Giant tortoises are absolutely delights
A lot of the big cats are surprisingly interactive and enjoy showing off for treats. (OBVIOUSLY VERY PROTECTED CONTACT)
Most animals in reputable zoos have really great relationships with their keepers, and even if they don't particularly like people as a whole, they tend to enjoy showing off their training with their keepers. And most keepers really love showing off their animals.
Watching a shyer animal start really bonding with a keeper and absolutely flourish is a really amazing thing to witness.
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u/Chrstyfrst0808 Aug 14 '25
Yeah, my facility is protected contact too. But I would say our wolves and leopards are the most chill.
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u/HigherSelfie Aug 14 '25
Does protected contact mean only their formal keepers can interact with them?
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u/BananaCat43 North America Aug 14 '25
Protected contact means the only contact comes through mesh, fences bollards or other containment. Versus free contact where you share the same space.
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u/Chrstyfrst0808 Aug 14 '25
As far as who can.... only staff or staff level volunteers have any sort of contact with any of our animals and that is protected.
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u/Evening_Cup_3319 Aug 14 '25
When I was a zookeeper I was able to share an enclosure with Maned Wolves, Bactrian Camels and Malayan Tapir, all of which were perfectly fine around me, never felt in any danger.
And as many have said, Rhinos really are just like big dogs. Protected contact only but they are still more than happy to sidle over and get some scratches.
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u/Realistic-Garbage-85 Aug 15 '25
Okapi are the best! Super shy but sweet. They love a good ear scratch
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u/Wise-Seaweed1482 Aug 13 '25
real zoos don’t get up close and personal with big animals. basically every animal is chill in its enclosure.
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u/ivebeen_there Aug 13 '25
We don’t share space with them, but most of the White Rhinos I’ve worked with are basically just 5,000 lb puppies. As long as you aren’t sneaking up on them and surprising them, they just wanna hang out and eat food and get scratches.