Study explores zoo staff grief after animal loss

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Researchers from Colorado State University and Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance collaborated to survey employees and volunteers at zoos throughout the United States to learn more about the experiences they face with burnout and animal losses.

Published in Human-Animal Interactions, the research emphasizes the need for zoos to create comprehensive grief-affirming policies and greater access to mental health resources. The researchers also added that communication protocols for compassionate and timely responses to animal loss can foster empathetic culture within the organization that support staff, volunteer wellbeing, and effective animal care.

The experiences of loss in participants working in organizations that do not have supportive structures resulted in anxiety, guilt, hurt, or shame, but those who had a grief-affirming culture held more positive views. In both cases, the participants provided suggestions for ways to better improve the zoo industry to be more supportive of staff.

“Zoo professionals and volunteers frequently face significant emotional strain due to animal losses, yet structured organizational support for processing grief remains limited,” Nichole Nageotte, PhD, author of the study adjunct and instructor at Unity Environmental University.¹

There is poor grief support in some zoos located in the US, leaving staff feeling like they are receiving limited empathy from leadership, burnout, and cannot openly express grief after the death of an animal they developed a close emotional bond to, according to the researchers.

The survey was completed by 1695 zoo professionals, and researchers analyzed open-ended responses from 182 participants, 135 animal care and health professionals, 12 volunteers, and 35 additional staff.² Zoo professionals shared in the responses that they have individuals within their organization that provide a safe space for them to discuss loss and grief. Others expressed a desire for a culture where they can ask for support, take a minute to catch their breath, and have access to grief resources tailored to these professionals.

Zoo employees and volunteers also want opportunities for the team to take part in planning a ‘good death’ or transfer, which would allow individuals within the organization to say goodbye, take photos, or gather samples from the animal, such as fur, feathers, or paw/footprints.

In response to the responses, the researchers say there were requests for transparency in the case of a traumatic death. Employees and volunteers could be offered time and space to debrief with the team about the events that led up to the animal’s death. This will give these professionals a space to be able to process their feelings, if they would like.

Researchers have a plethora of recommendations for an industry level response to help zoo management create supportive infrastructures and resources to improve wellbeing and retention within the industry. An initial step they recommend is the creation of zoo animal grief resources. Organizations can set up advisory or special interest groups to meet on a regular basis to talk about grief culture, share resources, and promote self-compassion around loss.¹

Another suggestion the researchers presented was the development of an online database of grief resources so best practices examples of memorial activities can be shared as well as a directory of zoo counselors and professionals interested in mentoring other professionals about experiences this type of loss.

References

1. Study examines grief of zoo employees and volunteers across the US after animal losses. News release. CABI. February 12, 2025. Accessed February 18, 2025. https://phys.org/news/2025-02-grief-zoo-employees-volunteers-animal.html
2. Nageotte, Nichole L.; Currin-McCulloch, Jennifer; McDonald, Shelby; Walker, Abby; Kogan, Lori, ‘Animal Loss and Grief in Zoos: Qualitative Insights to Inform Organizational Support for Zoo Professionals and Volunteers,’ Human-Animal Interactions, 12 February (2025). DOI: 10.1079/hai.2025.0004