In
the same way a keeper learns to recognize his animals behavior the animals
learn to recognize a keeper's deportment and react to it. An elephant
that had never done so before thumped a keeper's sore leg with its trunk
the day after the keeper had injured his knee in a hockey game. Although
the zookeepers (to themselves) are obviously of a different species
than their animals, the animals may regard a keeper 
as
a conspecific.
If you are to work effectively and safely within a confined space or restricted area you need to be aware of how animals interpret your behavior. Although the zookeeper may mean no harm, actions may send a danger, threat or challenge signal to the animal. The keeper must avoid appeasement behavior for a challenge by any member of the group may follow. Behavior is the zookeeper's means of communication with the animals and body language is the chief means of communication.
A zookeeper must concentrate on posture and body movements when within the exhibit. If you are to work effectively and safely within confined space or restricted area with your animal's concepts of flight distance, critical distance and individual distance must be remembered. Animals become sensitive to your intentions, fear, apprehension, depression or glee. Knowing this, and with an understanding of body language and a good body awareness, zookeepers can work more easily and with less stress.
Different
animals interpret specific actions in different ways (e.g. for some
species 
eye
contact is antagonistic). Be aware of what your body and posture is
communicating. Make your movements slow and deliberate, not abrupt or
fast. Slow flowing movements that the animals can follow allow them
to anticipate your next move and adjust their position accordingly.
Many animals quickly learn set work routines within the exhibit and,
once they are habituated, there is less stress. As a keeper try to practice
the following guidelines:
-
Think before you enter a cage or exhibit. Move steadily, talk softly, whistle or sing to your animals so they know where you are and that you are not a threat.
-
Predators are quiet when hunting. Your tone of voice can communicate your alpha position.
-
Try to follow the same routine each day. This allows the animals to relax knowing what you will do next.
-
Be sensitive to your lack of knowledge or sensitivity toward your animals initially. It takes time to build familiarity and good rapport with those you are working with. It does not happen quickly.
-
Know what your animals are doing and what it means. Try to interpret and understand its behavior.
-
Avoid shouting or abrupt loud noises. Your natural advantage is brains and experience. Don't attempt to bluff your animals or your work mates. If you, or an animal, are not in good shape treat the problem and find an alternative safe arrangement for animal care. You cannot match many animals in speed or strength.
-
Never lose your temper with animals. Either, or both you and the animal, could end up injured.
-
Don't rush - be deliberate and patient. Mistakes often happen when people are not taking time to pay attention to what they are doing.
-
Watch your eyes or wear protective eyewear. Some animals (many birds such as herons or cranes) aim for the eyes when pecking. Cultivate safe work habits and behavior.
Some
of these points may be made less relevant if such a safe working routine
as the daily locking of animals into a restricted area is established.
The points listed above should ideally be necessary only in isolated
situations but these situations do occur. There is no substitute for
safety, and no keeper should have to compromise safety to get the
job done.