I want to work with animals, but...

[triceratops]

I'm not exactly sure how to go about doing this.

I know there are, at least, a few different careers involving work with animals. I'd like to work with the wilder animals, such as elephants or lions, in particular. I don't exactly want to become a vet, and I know zoology is an option.

I'm eighteen and I've just graduated from high school. For a while I was planning on going to an art school for interior design, but I'd be much happier working with animals. And now I'm sort of lost.

I also don't know what I'd need to be able to become a zoologist. I've only taken the COMPASS exam, not the SATs or ACTs. I didn't have the best grades in school but they were passable. I'm interested in taking classes online, so I'm wondering if that would be possible. I'd really like to know if there's anyone/anywhere I could call or a website I could visit online for help.

What could I do?