How Much Is Enough?

Between the safety concerns raised by Coronavirus, as well as the inevitable financial problems that have followed in its wake, one of the most pressing issues zoos face right now is staffing.  Social distancing efforts have meant that zoos and aquariums were trying to keep their staff numbers low during the early days of the pandemic, especially when they were closed to the public.  Staff that could work from home did work from home.  Keepers and others who were needed on grounds were often split into teams that were kept quarantined from each other.  

Most days, zoos were running lean and hungry.  When I'd walk around grounds, part of me would always wonder, "Where is everybody?"

The resultant financial hardships have also resulted in layoffs.  About 60% of a facility's expenses are usually represented by staff salaries and associated benefits, such as health insurance.  As a result, many zoos try to have the necessary level of staff.  In theory the more staff you have, the better things will run - but it can seriously cripple your budget.

What is the appropriate level of staff?

To me - and this is just looking at the keeper side of things, not at marketing or education or administration - it means you take the number of keepers needed to care for the animals on a daily basis.  Not just throwing water and food and grabbing the more obvious poop piles, but the proper daily care, including the daily care routine, enrichment, at least some training, and a few associated odd jobs, such as restocking supplies and minor maintenance.  Then, multiply by, say 1.5 - if you *need four keepers to do the most basic of jobs, plan on six.  Take that number and multiply by seven, then divide by five.  Round up.  So again, if you *need* four to do the most basic job, plan on having nine.

This will provide you with enough staff to do a thorough job of cleaning, feeding, training, enrichment, and other aspects of husbandry, to say nothing of monitoring animals and interacting with guests.  It gives you a cushion in case of emergencies.  It also actually allows your keepers to take their sick days, personal time, and vacation without feeling guilty, like they are betraying their co-workers and their animals.  

I've worked at many zoos that were short-staffed (and only one that I ever felt was over-staffed, and that was mostly on the managerial side).  Many zoos and aquariums are nonprofits, and especially during times as hard as these, it feels like they need to pare down and stay lean to survive.  Cutting too many staff - especially those most integral to the institution's mission - can be a false savings that only hurts the zoo (and its animals) in the end.