In the Singapore Zoo, a zookeeper is responsible for the animals’ care and

well-being. Their duties include conducting food preparation and feeding regime for
their assigned animals, as well as animal husbandry. Additionally, they conduct and
maintain animal behavioural enrichments as well as interact with visitors through
guided tours, feedings and interaction sessions (Mandai Wildlife Reserve (MWR),
n.d.a; Chiew, 2019).

Being in the tourism sector which contributes 4% to Singapore’s gross

domestic product, the zoo has an important role in Singapore’s economy and
reputation (Singapore Tourism Board, 2020). It is recognised globally and is popular
amongst both tourists and locals, with 1.9 million visitors annually (MWR, n.d.b).
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the most popular place to visit
(Wasserman, 2021). Without zookeepers, the zoo would not be able to operate
properly and animals would not be taken care of, making it less attractive for people
to visit which in turn affects the tourism sector. Additionally, zookeepers share their
knowledge and educate the public on the animals and conservation of the wildlife
when interacting with visitors. Without zookeepers, society may not be as well aware
of the importance of the wildlife and instead engage in activities that lead to a loss of
biodiversity. This loss would eventually affect our quality of life (Kang, 2021).

However, society views zookeepers’ work to be dirty and labour-intensive,

and thus it is not as valued as other work like veterinarians. As it is assumed to be
masculine work by society, zookeepers are traditionally thought to be work for males.
This misconception could be why not many females are pursuing the work and it is a
male-dominated work in Singapore (Co, 2020).

According to Durkheim, the establishment of specified jobs for certain people

or also known as the division of labour, allows for social stability. With globalisation
advancements, society has grown and become more diverse with different types of
jobs now available. This comes with increased specialisation which benefits the
society as it increases productive capacities and improves workers’ skills (Ang et al.,
2022). Based on Durkheim’s theory we can understand that all works are
interdependent with each other and all needed for social stability. This division of
labour allows for zookeepers to use their specialisation in their work to support other
departments of the zoo such as the conservation and veterinary departments, to
ensure the zoo functions smoothly (Co, 2020). With this, the tourism sector is then
able to thrive. The specialisation of zookeepers comprises of their daily duties as
described in the beginning of this essay. With all specialising in their own work like
zookeepers, where they are most productive, all things can be produced with
superiority as per Plato.

According to Aristotle, labour is necessary for human survival and needs, and
provides leisure. Leisure involves productive activities that allow men to fulfil their
human potential and flourish to benefit society (Ang, et al, 2022). Zookeepers at the
Singapore Zoo work on a shift-work rotation of 9 hours daily, with 2 off days per
week. However, as the zoo is an attraction that opens throughout the year, off days
are not always fixed (Chiew, 2019). In fact, the zookeepers are expected to be willing
to work on weekends and public holidays (MWR, n.d.a). Given these circumstances,
it is harder for them to access leisure. Moreover, their salary is not high with an
average gross salary of $32,003 thus, they need to work to satisfy life’s necessities
(SalaryExpert, n.d.). Without leisure, zookeepers cannot flourish. Based on this
conclusion, Plato’s statement is disagreed with as being a zookeeper is not
flourishing and does not benefit society, to produce things as described by Plato. We
can also note that there is a division of labour according to Aristotle, where some are
free from the necessities of labour as work such as zookeepers, allow for others in
the upper hierarchy to have leisure and eventually flourish (Ang, et al., 2022). This
also disagrees with Plato’s statement as not everyone would be flourishing and thus
not all things would be produced with superiority.

Conclusively, Plato’s statement relates to how if everyone works at a single

occupation, they would be most productive and a whole can be achieved in
superiority. Durkheim deems all work including zookeepers to be significant and
valuable, where a hierarchy of occupations is not significant. His theory agrees with
Plato’s statement as all work is specialised and they would be most productive.
Whereas, Aristotle deems some work to be more valuable and there is a strict
hierarchy of occupations. Zookeepers are not valuable and the nature of their work
subjects them to little leisure. Unlike zookeepers, workers in the upper hierarchy can
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access leisure necessary to flourish. Aristotle’s theory thus disagrees with Plato’s
statement as workers like zookeepers are left out from productive activities.

Word Count: 800

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 References

Ang, M. S. J., Kam, J., & Lye, K. Y. (2022). Transforming Work. Singapore University

of Social Sciences.

Chiew, C. (2019, August 26). Zookeeper In Singapore: How This Cambridge

University Graduate Fulfilled Her Dream Of Working With Animals. ZULA.

Retrieved March 3, 2022, from https://zula.sg/zookeeper-singapore/

Co, C. (2021, January 6). The English major who became an accidental zookeeper.

Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/english-

major-who-became-accidental-zookeeper-1311956

Kang, H. (2020, October 21). Singapore’s Zoos Aren’t Just For Housing Animals —

They Help Protect Wildlife At Home And Around The Globe. A Magazine

Singapore. https://read-a.com/singapores-zoos-arent-just-for-housing-

animals-they-help-protect-wildlife-at-home-and-around-the-globe/

Mandai Wildlife Reserve (MWR). (n.d.a). We are Hiring. Retrieved March 1, 2022,

from https://www.mandai.com/en/careers/we-are-hiring.html

Mandai Wildlife Reserve (MWR). (n.d.b). About Singapore Zoo. Retrieved March 1,

2022, from https://www.mandai.com/en/our-parks/about-singapore-zoo.htm

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SalaryExpert. (n.d.). Salary Expert - Zoo Keeper Salary Singapore. Retrieved March

1, 2022, from https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/zoo-keeper/singapore

Singapore Tourism Board. (2020, July 4). Overview.

https://www.stb.gov.sg/content/stb/en/about-stb/overview.html

Wasserman, A. (2021, February 26). What was the most popular visitor attraction in

Singapore during Covid-19? AsiaOne. https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/what-

was-most-popular-visitor-attraction-singapore-during-covid-19