Home› Work & Volunteering
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨

zoos/wildlife centres

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Work & Volunteering
Hey, im thinking of trying to get a job in a local deer centre or a small zoo. Does anyone know what it takes? Like, do you need qualifications in animal care and at what level?
Currently at college studying art :P
Thanks

Comments

  • Olly_BOlly_B Posts: 222 Trailblazer
    Hiya,

    There is some good information about what you need to become a zoo keper on the website of ZSL (the people who run London and Whipsnade zoo):

    http://www.zsl.org/info/jobs/careers-with-animals-zoo-keepers,111,AR.html


    Olly
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thank you :D
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I would say that generally, it doesn't pay very well - but that might not be an issue!

    Jobs in places like zoos are highly competative - they get lots of applicants so any extra animal related experience you have will help.

    It may well be worth considering voluntary work to get some extra experience!

    Good luck!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Im gonna try get some volunteer work in over the summer at a deer centre (with wolves)... Hopefully the fact i wont be asking for money will intice them ;)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    How do you stop the wolves eating the deer?! :eek:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    They are in a seperate enclosure...just next to the children's play area...:yum:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    hehehe
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    pearyclaire wrote: »
    Hey, im thinking of trying to get a job in a local deer centre or a small zoo. Does anyone know what it takes? Like, do you need qualifications in animal care and at what level?
    Currently at college studying art :P
    Thanks

    coolest opportunity like that i've seen is the Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Adventure Camps - you get to work with animal trainers to help take care of the wildlife and animals they use in their parks. a lot of their trainers are old campers - i don't think you can get experience like that anywhere else.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    YellowSkirt wrote: »
    coolest opportunity like that i've seen is the Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Adventure Camps - you get to work with animal trainers to help take care of the wildlife and animals they use in their parks. a lot of their trainers are old campers - i don't think you can get experience like that anywhere else.

    That would be perfect for me if they also did it for university students and for longer, i.e a few weeks. I'm doing my degree in zoo biology and would love to do that!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ballerina wrote: »
    That would be perfect for me if they also did it for university students and for longer, i.e a few weeks. I'm doing my degree in zoo biology and would love to do that!

    They have a Zookeeping and Zoo Careers program for people in their late teens and in college, there's still an opportunity there, if you're interested.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I'm so planning on sending my as yet unborn children to Sea World to do all of the animal camp things they look great!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Wyetry wrote: »
    I'm so planning on sending my as yet unborn children to Sea World to do all of the animal camp things they look great!

    Ha - I'm sure they will appreciate it. The Adventure Camps would be a great opportunity for anyone.
Sign In or Register to comment.