Why Do Zookeepers Wear Khaki?

I am pretty sure that you have gone to a Zoo before and you saw the Zookeepers putting on Khaki. You must have been surprised or curious why Zookeepers wear Khaki.

Khaki is a word that means “soil colored” This is the meaning in Hindu-Urdu.

Now you know where this name originates, it would make sense for you to know why Zookeepers wear Khaki while they are working at the zoo.

Zookeepers are usually the people that you find in the zoo taking care of animals in the zoo.

Take a look at the reasons why Zookeepers wear Khaki

• It is superior in tropical climates
• They are lightweight
  
• It has several pockets known as “scoop pockets” which is used as extra storage and for carrying tools
• It has a long-lasting material for use in the animal habitat
• They are easy to clean after use
• It is an easy way to identify those working at the Zoo
  

It is superior in tropical climates

One thing about working in the Zoo as a Zookeeper is that you need to put on the best type of clothes that can work well despite the climate.

That is why Khakis are very good and also used by Zookeepers in the Zoo. One of those reasons is because Khakis perform excellently when it is in a tropical climate.

This tropical climate is mostly during the damp climate. While you are working during the damp climate, if you put on clothes that cannot survive or are not superior in tropical climates, you are definitely going to regret it.

You are also not going to enjoy it because it will make you so uncomfortable.

You can see why Khakis are used by a lot by Zookeepers. Khakis survive when it is used in a damp or tropical climate.

They are lightweight

It does not make any sense when you are working all day in clothes that are so heavy. You will not be able to make swift movements or even work for long. The heavy clothing will make you get tired easily.

When it comes to Khaki, they are totally different and unique. Despite how durable Khakis are, it does not change the fact that they are lightweight.

Being lightweight is a whole lot of advantages to the person wearing the Khaki. This is why Khakis are usually chosen by Zookeepers.

You can work all day in your Khaki, and it would almost look like you don’t have anything on.

When an outfit like this is lightweight, you will find it easy to carry around, regardless of distance.

Another issue with an outfit that is so heavy is that you will find it difficult to wear it for long and also walk long distances.

Can be used as an extra storage and for carrying tools

While you are working in the zoo, you need an outfit that has a lot of compartments or pockets where you can easily put all the tools you are working with.

This is what Khaki has that makes it chosen by Zookeepers.

When you take a look at Khaki worn by Zookeepers, you will notice how there are a lot of pockets which is referred to as “scoop pockets”, these pockets serve are a good storage space for all your tools.

As you are working in the zoo you are going to need some other equipment to carry around with you. The essence of putting it in your pocket is for ease of access.

Khakis are so good at this, that is why they are being used by Zookeepers.

Imagine if khakis do not come with multiple pockets or compartments, it would be very difficult for you to carry your equipment with you, you may have to resort to taking an extra bag where you can put all your equipment.

But since the pocket here is present, you just need to put your equipment inside the pocket, then you are good to go.

It has a long-lasting material for use in the animal habitat

While you are working at the zoo, you do not wear any type of material of clothes, this is because what you are dealing with is strictly animals, sometimes you could get in contact with the animals and If the texture of what you are putting in is not strong enough, you may have to deal with a torn cloth.

Khakis are so good at this, it has a long-lasting material that is durable enough for you to make use of it in the animal Habitat.

Animals tend to behave in a strange way sometimes, if you do not have clothes that can withstand rough handling in the zoo, you may likely be at the risk of having your clothes torn.

The material of the Khaki is also long-lasting, this is good because it enables you to make use of the Khaki long enough without talking about purchasing a new one any time soon.

This is a good thing because you do not always have to spend money on a new khaki outfit all the time.

They are easy to clean after use

This is another important part of the Khaki outfit that makes it good to be used by Zookeepers.

They are easy to wash and clean after use. It is not really a good thing when you go out to work in the zoo and then the clothes you wore are so difficult to clean and wash. It would make it so tiring for you.

That is why Khakis are usually the best option for you to go for as a Zookeeper working in the zoo.

When you are done working in the zoo with your Khaki, you can simply take off your Khaki and wash it immediately, it is not difficult at all.

It is an easy way to identify those working at the Zoo

How do you identify nurses when you go to the hospital? I am sure you know that nurses wear blue scrubs.

When you see an engineer on-site, you will notice his boots, jeans, and helmet. That is the same way it is applicable to those who work in the zoo.

When you visit the zoo, you will see a couple of people there, so how will you know those that are the Zookeepers if they are not in Khaki.

That is why this Khak helps you to identify those that work in the zoo as Zookeepers.

Why is the dress code of Zookeepers important in their jobs?

The dress code of Zookeepers is usually a pair of khaki pants and boots with gloves.

This is quite simple, simply because it applies to virtually all fields. The same way that the dress code of a doctor is important in their job is the same way the dress code of a nurse is important in their jobs.

They both work in the hospital, so how will you know a doctor if you see one? How will you know a nurse when you see one? How will you be able to differentiate a nurse from a doctor?

It is quite simple, their outfit helps to make this identification possible and easy. This brings us to the first point of why the dress code of Zookeepers is important in their jobs:

• It helps in easy identification
• It is a good camouflage
• It helps to keep them safe
• It helps make their job easier

It helps in easy identification

I have mentioned this so much in this article, this is the number one importance of the dress code of Zookeepers in their jobs.

Just the same way the dress code of every other profession helps in easy identification, that is the same way it works for Zookeepers.

Because of this dress code, you can walk into the zoo and when you see people wearing khakis, you would know already that they are Zookeepers.

It is a good camouflage

Sometimes, when you wear your Khaki to work at the zoo, the color of the Khaki looks almost like the color of sand.

This is a good form of camouflage and how it works is that when you wear the Khaki to the zoo, it blends with the environment, also it blends with the color of the soil.

This makes you look harmless to animals in the zoo.

It helps to keep Zookeepers safe

When you wear your complete dress code to the zoo, tour Khaki, gloves, and boots, this serves as way to keep you completely safe while you are at the zoo.

You need this dress code you do not get yourself Injured in the zoo, or even get yourself exposed to animals that could get in contact with you. As a Zookeeper, your safety should be paramount.

It helps to make their job easier

When you wear your complete dress code to work as a Zookeeper, what it will do is that it will only make your job easier for you.

What I mean by it makes their job easier is, for example, your Khaki that has a lot of pocket compartments, imagine how easy it will be for you to just put all your tools inside the pocket with you.

That is what you get when you make use of your dress code as someone working as a Zookeeper.

It also applies when you make use of your boots and gloves, you will not be scared of stepping on anything sharp because you are putting on protective boots.

What are Zookeepers expected to do in their jobs? 

Zookeepers are people that take care of animals in the zoo, they take care of everything that goes on in the zoo.

However, this is not everything they do in the zoo, in this article will, I will expatiate more on it.

• Keeping well-detailed records
• Feeding the animals
• Administering medication
• Cleaning the animals’ chamber
• Assisting The Veterinarians
• Reporting changes in animals to the veterinarians

Keeping well-detailed records

No matter the field you are in, record keeping is very important. The same thing is applicable to Zookeepers in the zoo, one of the things they do is that that they keep records.

Records like how many animals are present in a given period of time, keeping records of the population, mortality rate, and birth rate of a given class of animals in the zoo.

Feeding the animals

This is one of the most important things that Zookeepers do is the zoo. Animals must eat, isn’t it?

They have to. Who will feed them if the Zookeepers are not present? They have to feed them daily so as to keep the animals healthy and alive.

Administering medication

At some point in the lives of the animals you keep in the zoo, they may fall sick on some occasions.

It is the job of the Zookeeper to administer medication that has been prescribed by the Veterinarians and also supervised by the Veterinarians.

If you are not a veterinarian, it is not advisable for you too. Administer medication that has not been prescribed by the Veterinarians, doing that could put the lives of the animals in jeopardy.

Cleaning the animals’ chamber

The same way you will like to clean your home for it to look clean, that is the same way the chambers of the animals are supposed to be kept clean all the time.

If they are not kept clean, you are further exposing them to possible diseases or infections that could come as a result of dirt.

That is why you need to clean their chambers consistently. This is the job of the Zookeeper.

Assisting the Veterinarians

While the veterinarians are helping the animals recover from an illness or trying to administer injections to the animals, the Zookeepers ought to be there to assist the Veterinarian in any way he needs help.

This makes the job easier for both parties. You are not supposed to leave the Veterinarians working alone.

Reporting changes in animals to the veterinarians

At some point in time, you are going to notice some changes in the behavior of the animals in the zoo, it is your job as a Zookeeper to report these sudden changes in the character of the animals.

This is important so that if there is a need for the attention of the Veterinarian, you can quickly call for one.

Conclusion

For a very long time, Khaki has been worn by Zookeepers to work in the zoo.

This article has explained a lot of reasons why Zookeepers wear Khaki to work in the zoo, now when you see people wearing Khaki in the zoo you will know that they are Zookeepers.

I also explained the various jobs of the Zookeeper in the zoo. Now that you are aware of all of these, it would be easy for you to identify a Zookeeper, and also for you to know if at all you would like to be one, perhaps, you love animals and you so like to take care of them.