The world feels heavy right now. Many zookeepers are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and deeply unsettled by current events. Policies, laws, and cultural shifts have made some communities feel unsafe—even if their physical safety isn’t immediately at risk, their sense of stability, security, and belonging is. Zookeepers need to unplug and connect.

When you don’t feel safe, it’s hard to focus. It’s hard to care for animals when you’re running on empty. It’s hard to show up for others when you’re carrying the weight of fear and uncertainty.

And yet, many of us are making it worse without realizing it—by spiraling in news cycles, doom-scrolling social media, and getting stuck in fear loops. But here’s the truth: consuming more bad news doesn’t make us more prepared or in control. It just makes us more exhausted.

Psychological Safety Matters, But So Does Moving Forward

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs tells us that safety—including personal security, stability, and freedom from harm—is one of the most fundamental human needs. When people feel that their rights, identity, or personal freedoms are under threat, it directly impacts their ability to function and thrive.

Even if physical safety isn’t immediately in danger, psychological safety—the feeling of being accepted, valued, and free from harm—is just as critical. But here’s the hard part: in animal care, staying stuck in fear isn’t an option.

When you’re working with animals—especially dangerous ones—your head has to be in the game. Your focus matters. Your team depends on you to be present. Your animals depend on you to provide consistent, calm care. Zookeepers need to unplug and connect. If fear and stress keep you stuck, you’re not just struggling internally—it can affect the safety of everyone around you.

So, how do we move up the pyramid? How do we find stability, connection, and purpose even when the world feels unstable?

The Power of Unplugging and Reconnecting

Right now, when fear feels like the loudest voice in the room, the best thing we can do is ground ourselves. To step away from the noise and reconnect—with nature, with each other, and with what we can control.

Think of it like touching grass: stepping outside, feeling the earth under your feet, and remembering that you exist beyond the chaos of the internet and the news.

How to Break the Cycle (Zookeeper Edition)

If you’re feeling stuck, here are some ways to reset—both for yourself and to support others.

1. Unplug Intentionally

For yourself:

• Set limits on news and social media. Get the updates you need, then step away.
• Instead of scrolling during breaks, take a deep breath, stretch, or check in with a coworker.
• Replace endless scrolling with something that brings you peace—music, a podcast, or even just silence.

As a leader:

• Recognize when your team is caught in a stress spiral and gently encourage breaks.
• Model unplugging yourself—if you’re constantly checking the news at work, your team will too.
• Encourage moments of calm—whether it’s a short walk, a quiet minute by an exhibit, or simply looking up from a screen.

2. Get Outside and Be Present

For yourself:

• Take a few minutes during your shift to step outside of your routine—sit near an exhibit, listen to the sounds of the zoo, or watch an animal just be.
• Engage in training sessions or enrichment activities that bring you joy.
• Find a grounding moment: the warmth of the sun, the rhythm of cleaning routines, the smell of fresh hay. Let yourself be there.

As a leader:

• Create space for your team to breathe. If possible, let them step away when they need to.
• Normalize small moments of joy and mindfulness—encourage keepers to take a second to watch their animals, not just care for them.
• If your team is tense, suggest an informal check-in somewhere outside, away from the stress.

3. Prioritize Human Connection

For yourself:

• Talk to a coworker. Even a quick, “How’s your day going?” can break the isolation.
• Show up for peer groups, even when you don’t feel like it. Sometimes just listening helps.
• If you’re struggling, let someone know. You don’t have to carry this alone.

As a leader:

• Make it clear that your workplace is inclusive and that your team belongs. Say it out loud. Often.
• Foster a culture where people can express their worries without fear of judgment.
• Be a source of stability—someone who listens, validates, and reassures.

4. Engage in What Fills Your Cup

For yourself:

• Lean into activities that bring you peace—whether it’s playing with your pet at home, reading, or just sitting in the quiet.
• Give yourself permission to not be productive every second of the day. Rest is necessary.
• Find small things that bring you comfort at work—your favorite tea, a playlist that keeps you calm, a moment to watch your favorite animal.

As a leader:

• Remind your team that it’s okay to rest. Hustle culture isn’t sustainable.
• If you have EAPs or mental health resources, make sure your team knows how to access them.
• Encourage people to take their breaks fully—not just sit in the breakroom on their phones.

The Bottom Line

Even when the world feels unstable, we can create pockets of safety—through connection, through nature, through community.

But we also have a responsibility—to ourselves, to our teams, and to our animals—to find a way to keep going. To move up the pyramid, even when it’s hard. Because our animals need us present. Our coworkers need us focused. And we deserve to feel like we’re in control of our own well-being.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider this your sign to take a step back. Touch grass. Breathe. And know that you are not alone.