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A Chinese graduate from the University of Cambridge left a higher-paying job in the biopharmaceutical industry to become a zookeeper in Shanghai, citing health benefits and a preference for an active lifestyle, reported South China Morning Post.
Ma Ya, 25, from Jiangsu province, previously worked at a biopharmaceutical company before joining Shanghai Zoo. While the average monthly salary for a biopharmaceutical researcher is around 10,000 yuan (US$1,400), a zookeeper earns about half that amount, as per SCMP.
Ma holds a bachelor’s degree in biological science from Imperial College London and a master’s in veterinary science from Cambridge. She said working at the zoo allows her to observe animals up close, aiding her research in animal nutrition and disease treatment.
Ma became a full-time zookeeper in February last year, working from 8 am to 5 pm. She has cared for elephants, hippos, monkeys, tigers, and red pandas and is currently responsible for deer and goats. “Animals have many magical behaviours, which unfold in front of me through day-to-day interactions,” she told Hongxing News.
Research and observations
Ma noted that animals continuously surprise her with their behaviours. She described an experiment in which researchers observed a red panda to determine which paw it would use to grab food from a box. Instead, the animal surprised them by using its mouth.
Shanghai Zoo, a public institution, is considered a stable employer, but Ma said job security was not her primary concern.
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“Apart from feeding the animals, I have the opportunity to engage in comprehensive research on animal nutrition and the treatment of illnesses. I also aspire to refine my practical veterinary skills, enhancing the theoretical knowledge I gained during my studies,” she said.
Online reaction
The decision has drawn attention online, with many commenting on her career shift. “People are the happiest when they can pursue jobs they love,” one social media user said. “There is an increasing disenchantment with traditional educational backgrounds in today’s society, which is a positive development as it allows individuals greater freedom in their career choices,” another commented.
“A zookeeper who can connect closely with animals seems to me the happiest job in the world,” a third person wrote.
(With inputs from South China Morning Post)