Being a Zoo Nutritionist is One Cool Job

What’s it like preparting meals for 2,200 animals across 400 species, everything from tiny ruby-throated hummingbirds to 4-ton Asian elephants?

Mike Maslanka will tell you that his day starts early. Around 5:30 a.m., before his staff arrives, he walks through the 23,000-square-foot kitchen that is at the heart of his job to make sure everything is ready. Over the next few hours, his crew will prep food for every animal at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C.

As senior nutritionist and head of the department of nutrition, it’s Maslanka’s job to make sure the unique dietary needs of every animal are met, the pantry is properly stocked and more. The former Cub Scout works closely with the zoo’s clinical nutritionist, as well as its veterinary department and animal handlers. Maslanka also is involved in nutrition research and educational outreach for the zoo.

AN EXTENSIVE MENU

Feeding 400 different species is a complex job because diets vary. Large predators, such as lions and tigers, need big chunks of cow and horse meat. Giant pandas eat only bamboo. Elephants consume large amounts of hay. Snakes and other reptiles eat rodents, like rats and mice, while other species receive a mix of leafy greens, fruits and commercial diets (pellets and biscuits).

“Our inventory is roughly 400 ingredients,” Maslanka says. “A lot of items can be found in our kitchens at home, such as green beans, eggs, canned pumpkin and yellow mustard, which is sometimes used to mask strong-tasting medicines. Our food budget is more than $1 million a year.”

Maslanka and his team are responsible for food preparation, but the animals’ handlers are the ones who actually feed them. Food is often used to motivate the animals. For example, in the elephant compound, hay is placed in special devices that offer a little bit of hay at a time. This encourages the enormous pachyderms to walk around their area, getting exercise as they enjoy a tasty snack.

A CAREER PATH OF EXPERIENCE

What does it take to do what Maslanka does? He earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry and wildlife science and a master’s degree in nutritional physiology and dairy science.

“From there, I did a residency at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago specific to zoo nutrition,” he says.

Before joining the National Zoo in 2007, Maslanka also worked at the Memphis Zoo, the Fort Worth Zoo and the Georgia Aquarium. As a teen, he worked a variety of jobs that later helped his career, including groundskeeper on an estate and jobs at a veterinary clinic, a dog kennel and several farms.

He encourages young people interested in pursuing a career in zoo nutrition to do the same. Through such opportunities, you might work with different species of animals, learn to use various equipment and acquire other important skills while getting a wide range of experiences. If you’re in high school, Maslanka recommends a focus on science, mathematics and biology, as well as any classes involving human nutrition.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The best way to learn if zoo nutrition is right for you is to volunteer at your local zoo or on a nearby farm. Maslanka says this will expose you to the daily rigors of animal care and management and let you see up close the details of animal nutrition.

“We would love to get more students who have farm experience in our world,” Maslanka says. “They come with a good work ethic and knowledge base, and they have common sense around animals. We definitely would love to see more students with applied animal experience.”

Job Facts: Zoo Nutritionist

WHAT TO EXPECT: Zoo nutritionists are responsible for overseeing the dietary needs of every animal in their facility. They assist in the creation of unique diets, ensure nutritional standards, and are involved with the selection and purchase of food items. They also work closely with the zoo’s veterinary department and animal handlers.

JOB OUTLOOK: There are only around 20 professional zoo nutritionists working in the U.S., mostly at the larger zoos. Many zoos do not have the budget to hire someone who specializes only in nutrition, so those with nutrition experience may be expected to perform additional jobs. Nutritionists are also in demand at farms and other facilities that work with large numbers of animals.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Most professional zoo nutritionists have an advanced degree in an animal-related science (dairy, poultry, wildlife, zoology, etc.) or a closely related discipline.

“Zoo nutritionists also need to be independent problem-solvers,” Maslanka says, “because most of the time the answers to the questions we face cannot be found in a book.”

SALARY: A variety of factors can determine how much a zoo nutritionist makes, including education, experience and geographic location. Annual salaries can range from $40,000 for those working on a farm to more than $100,000 for those with extensive experience working for major zoological parks, Maslanka says.

FOR MORE INFO, SEE THESE WEBSITES:

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
• Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
• Brookfield Zoo
• AZA Nutrition Advisory Group
• Comparative Nutrition Society