Marek Zdansky is an wonderful person to talk to. He knows his work to the least detail and apparently loves his job. He is also quite talkative, which should be regarded as something positive, because he is extremely knowledgeable and always talks to the point. We recorded this interview in the service quarters of the gorilla pavilion, touching upon a wide range of topics. The whole interview is very long, so we are serving it in parts. Today's instalment is about the peculiarities of an animal keeper's job.
We always talk together about gorillas - what's new in the pavilion, what new tricks the gorillas learnt, how they behave, but we have never talked about your job as a gorilla keeper. What are its nice aspects and what is difficult about it?
What I am going to say, I think, applies not only to gorilla keepers but to all who take care of any animals in the zoo. First and foremost, an animal keeper must love animals. Unfortunately, our job is not paid very well. Just recently, I was looking for a replacement for a colleague who went on the maternity leave and when I was told how much I could offer as the salary, I thought I wouldn't be able to find anyone. I eventually found an able person who does the job well. Low wages is probably the main reason why there are more women among keepers than men. Few breadwinners would accept the deplorable financial conditions. On the other hand, only true enthusiasts who love it will take such a job. The job is also very demanding timewise - a keeper must be able to work weekends and holidays.
So, you have a new hand in the pavilion. What do you expect from her and what qualities does she need to possess?
Selection was easier for us because I knew her when she studied keeping of exotic animals and was here in our zoo for her practical training, so when she applied for the position, we knew who she was. Now it depends on the gorillas - how she approaches them and how they accept her. I hope it will work well. A keeper has to have certain qualities - must not be afraid of the animal while respecting it and keeping a necessary distance, and always bear in mind that it is a wild beast. I detest when animals are humanised. It is good if animals are used to their keepers, but they belong to their own troop. So, if there is any problem between the new keeper and the gorillas, for instance if they refuse to accept food from her, she would not be able to stay in the pavilion, unfortunately.
Have you noticed any changes in the gorillas' behaviour depending on which keeper is on duty?
This is something those who follow the Revealed project on-line could answer based on their long-term observations. I think their behaviour depends on their mood. For instance, Richard is sometimes friendly towards me, sometimes he keeps some distance.
What are the keepers' duties, what is the daily routine in the pavilion? What authorities do you have - what can you decide yourself and what do you need to consult?
I long fought for keepers to be more than "crap scrapers", if you excuse my language, I mean those who just sweep the pavilion, get a prescription for the diet, prepare the food and throw it in the enclosure, and call it a day. People must like their job, a keeper should work with the animals, have a say in composing the troop - for instance, when we think that a female does not fit the troop, if there are problems and we think she should be replaced. The keeper needs to be perceptive towards the animal, perceive how it acts and reacts, and whether the troop is happy as a whole. Apes require contact, which makes the care different from other species. I have always been lucky to have a well-working team. And I am satisfied with the keepers here in the gorilla pavilion as well as in the Indonesian Jungle pavilion and the Monkey Islands, which I am also responsible for. However, I also know a frequent reaction of keepers who are not interested to learn more and consider it the chief keeper's duty to decide on breeding matters. But the keeper is in contact with the animals on a daily basis and his or her observations are key for further decisions. He or she should be able to come and say what is wrong and should change. And the chief keeper should be able to respect the keepers' opinion. It is good to hear a variety of opinions and find the best possible solution based on them. Sometimes, it is impossible for financial or technical reasons but we know about the issue and can push for its resolution. We all then enjoy our work much better. I try take such an approach - but that would be a question for the girls, whether they are satisfied with me in this respect.
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