Keepers in uniform

[Gigit]

Following Bristol's announcement about its closure later this year, there were photos in the media of keepers, and Johnny Morris, wearing formal suits and caps. A lot has changed since those days regarding customs, fashion, fabrics, washing machines and so on. I hadn't really thought about it before but wondered whether keepers wore those unsuitable clothes just for special occasions and had overalls for all their dirty jobs?

 

[Dylan]

I think it comes from the days when visitor experience came first, not keepers or animals. And most of the visitors were rich Victorians who expected to see staff in formal wear. I cannot imagine any keeper I know wearing that now.

 

[Zoofan15]

Following Bristol's announcement about its closure later this year, there were photos in the media of keepers, and Johnny Morris, wearing formal suits and caps. A lot has changed since those days regarding customs, fashion, fabrics, washing machines and so on. I hadn't really thought about it before but wondered whether keepers wore those unsuitable clothes just for special occasions and had overalls for all their dirty jobs?

This type of uniform was standard for Auckland Zoo when it opened in 1922. It was based on public expectation, with zoo visitors attending similarly well dressed in their Sunday best.

Luckily for keepers, these uniforms were replaced with the more practical designs we see today. It’s just commonsense.

 

[Ned]

This type of uniform was fairly standard in those days, from milkmen to bus conductors to traffic wardens, I don't know if it was supposed to give an air of authority. At London Zoo in the mid-twentieth century keepers wore green trousers and shirts, overseers wore the smarter more official looking uniform.

 

[Pertinax]

Following Bristol's announcement about its closure later this year, there were photos in the media of keepers, and Johnny Morris, wearing formal suits and caps. A lot has changed since those days regarding customs, fashion, fabrics, washing machines and so on. I hadn't really thought about it before but wondered whether keepers wore those unsuitable clothes just for special occasions and had overalls for all their dirty jobs?

The caps and smart uniforms at urban zoos like Bristol & London were mainly for 'best' wear. They had overalls for all the daily cage cleaning/food prep routines etc. Back in the day, after lunch, one or more staff from each animal house or section would change into their uniform to go 'on duty' -standing in a visible position near the main exhibits during the busy afternoon period to prevent public feeding of animals, answer any questions and generally 'police' their area. Junior keepers usually didn't get the uniform though, if they needed to stand-in 'on duty' occassionally they would often just wear the cap as their mark of authority! Of course you always saw keepers in full smart uniform for things like royal or other important visitors and other press events. Those old Pathe news clips are typical of that era.

Head keepers and overseers who didn't do the hands-on work tended to wear them fulltime though.

The first place I ever saw keepers in less formal wear was Chester, where even back in the late 60's they wore a more informal-looking lightweight coat/smock type thing with Chester Zoo emblazoned on the lapels. A lot has changed since those days- some of the bigger zoos have been through several different dress codes since then.

 

[Gigit]

The caps and smart uniforms at urban zoos like Bristol & London were mainly for 'best' wear. They had overalls for all the daily cage cleaning/food prep routines etc. Back in the day, after lunch, one or more staff from each animal house or section would change into their uniform to go 'on duty' -standing in a visible position near the main exhibits during the busy afternoon period to prevent public feeding of animals, answer any questions and generally 'police' their area. Junior keepers usually didn't get the uniform though, if they needed to stand-in 'on duty' occassionally they would often just wear the cap as their mark of authority! Of course you always saw keepers in full smart uniform for things like royal or other important visitors and other press events. Those old Pathe news clips are typical of that era.

Head keepers and overseers who didn't do the hands-on work tended to wear them fulltime though.

The first place I ever saw keepers in less formal wear was Chester, where even back in the late 60's they wore a more informal-looking lightweight coat/smock type thing with Chester Zoo emblazoned on the lapels. A lot has changed since those days- some of the bigger zoos have been through several different dress codes since then.

Thanks. Interesting!

 

[Terry Thomas]

In 1962 Chessington Zoo decided that keepers would have a uniform. The powers that be bought old style motor-cycle rider 'trousers', high lace-up boots and shirts, almost certainly from Army discount stores. The shirts were OK, but the boots did not provide a decent grip on the ground at times. As for the 'trousers' -- they were very uncomfortable and restricted leg movement, often causing problems for the keeper, as well as looking a bit stupid! See the photo in media).

 

[Gigit]

In 1962 Chessington Zoo decided that keepers would have a uniform. The powers that be bought old style motor-cycle rider 'trousers', high lace-up boots and shirts, almost certainly from Army discount stores. The shirts were OK, but the boots did not provide a decent grip on the ground at times. As for the 'trousers' -- they were very uncomfortable and restricted leg movement, often causing problems for the keeper, as well as looking a bit stupid! See the photo in media).

I see what you mean!

 

[Pertinax]

I see what you mean!

I wonder if any descendents of the keepers who wore those-type uniforms still have any in mothballs anywhere. A full keeper uniform from somewhere like London or Bristol from the 50-60's era or even earlier, might be worth something these days, who knows?

I can't remember seeing any uniforms at Paignton in my early visits there though.

 

[Gigit]

I wonder if any descendents of the keepers who wore those-type uniforms still have any in mothballs anywhere. A full keeper uniform from somewhere like London or Bristol from the 50-60's era or even earlier, might be worth something these days, who knows?

I can't remember seeing any uniforms at Paignton in my early visits there though.

Something to display on special anniversaries?

I never thought I'd be looking through my assorted Paignton archives for photos of keepers' outfits, but I've had a quick look and in1998 there were a lot of beige short-sleeved shirts with buttons down the front around. By 2003, green polo shirts were in evidence for keepers. Navy blue polo shirts and trousers are now worn by all staff.

@ Pertinax and @Terry Thomas - were there many female keepers around in the 60s?

 

[Pertinax]

@ Pertinax and @Terry Thomas - were there many female keepers around in the 60s?

Absolutely none at Bristol or London...though at London females were employed in the Children's Zoo. Bristol had no CZ... and so no female keepers. I'm not sure when they started to appear in mainstream zoo jobs, probably 70's, though Twycross( at least in the UK) may well have been among the first and had them earlier.

 

[Terry Thomas]

There were no female keepers at Chessington Zoo in the early 1960's,

 

[Gigit]

Absolutely none at Bristol or London...though at London females were employed in the Children's Zoo. Bristol had no CZ... and so no female keepers. I'm not sure when they started to appear in mainstream zoo jobs, probably 70's, though Twycross( at least in the UK) may well have been among the first and had them earlier.

Just checked in 'Molly's Zoo' and Twycross's first four employees (including the vet) were female.

 

[Pertinax]

Just checked in 'Molly's Zoo' and Twycross's first four employees (including the vet) were female.

I knew they had female staff early on but didn't know that.

At London the girls employed in the children's zoo had their own 'uniform' too- smart shirts and johdpurs - you can probably find them in some old photos or news clips.

From memory there were still no female staff at somewhere like Bristol well into the 1980's, so maybe they didn't start to appear until later than that- 90's?

 

[johnccha]

In the 60s we had those uniforms at Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo. They were only used in the afternoons on patrol talking to the public , or feeding for public entertainment, lions, bears, etc. Or on special occasions. While mucking out we used overalls, I think we called them smocks.

 

[Pertinax]

In the 60s we had those uniforms at Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo. They were only used in the afternoons on patrol talking to the public , or feeding for public entertainment, lions, bears, etc. Or on special occasions. While mucking out we used overalls, I think we called them smocks.

Was the same at Bristol. Only used for 'best'- afternoon patrols/feedings or VIP days e.g. a special visitor. Only the more senior staff had the uniforms anyway.