Keeper for the day.
- Thread starter taun
- Start date
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Not exactly 'Keeper for a Day', but I did shadow a keeper at Paignton when I signed up for an animal management course run by a south west college at the zoo 4 years ago. I left the course after a couple of weeks as it wasn't as zoo orientated as I'd hoped, but not before I'd spent a morning cleaning out and feeding the bison, tapirs, capybara, agouti and the nocturnal house. I loved every minute of it. The bison didn't think much of a stranger in their yard but I was surrounded by capybara and tickled the (then) baby tapir's tummy. And I don't suppose I'll ever get that close to a sloth again.
We finished early and the keeper said she'd never had a student who worked so quickly before. I knew I'd missed my vocation!
Incidentally, both of my offspring have done work experience in zoos (Chessington and Paignton) and fell in love with the tapirs.
We finished early and the keeper said she'd never had a student who worked so quickly before. I knew I'd missed my vocation!
Incidentally, both of my offspring have done work experience in zoos (Chessington and Paignton) and fell in love with the tapirs.
Quite a long time ago I spent a day with the Carnivore staff at Chessington , privately arranged through a member of familty who worked there . The polar bears were still there and I was able to watch them close up from the service corridor at the rear , there were also some very impressive jaguars .
As I said in the other thread, I've done work on the Elephant, Rhino and Primate sections at Chester Zoo.
Rhinos was my first experience. I cleaned out the Prez Horse paddock, visited Tsavo 2, visited the zebra and oryx indoor area, saw the hand-reared Sitatunga and then got to place food for the Tapir and Capybara as well as stroke the Tapirs. Also got to see inside the Asian Plains building (before it was renovated for Indian Rhino) and see the Philippine Deer up close.
Primates were next and I worked with the Ring-Tail Lemurs, Chimps and Orangs. I had to clean out the Chimp off-show areas, prepare the Chimp's food, got a full tour of the recently opened RORA and then got to hand-feed the lemurs on their island.
Elephants involved cleaning the floor, cleaning the drinking sinks, laying out hay, observing the foot treatment and going to see the elephants up close in the off-show paddocks and Upali from the cycle path.
I loved every single one of the days i've done and really hope i get to do it for my career.
Rhinos was my first experience. I cleaned out the Prez Horse paddock, visited Tsavo 2, visited the zebra and oryx indoor area, saw the hand-reared Sitatunga and then got to place food for the Tapir and Capybara as well as stroke the Tapirs. Also got to see inside the Asian Plains building (before it was renovated for Indian Rhino) and see the Philippine Deer up close.
Primates were next and I worked with the Ring-Tail Lemurs, Chimps and Orangs. I had to clean out the Chimp off-show areas, prepare the Chimp's food, got a full tour of the recently opened RORA and then got to hand-feed the lemurs on their island.
Elephants involved cleaning the floor, cleaning the drinking sinks, laying out hay, observing the foot treatment and going to see the elephants up close in the off-show paddocks and Upali from the cycle path.
I loved every single one of the days i've done and really hope i get to do it for my career.
taun
Well-Known Member
I have done one day at chester, on the Giraffe section.
Two highlights were a baby Congo Buffalo born the day before and feeding morris the Giraffe a bottle.
I also got to see the off-show breeding group of Philippine Deer and feed them mushrooms. I also got to get up close to Mbuti (okapi) which was fantastic.
I also feed the bears getting a good view of the dens in the house and all around the enclosure.
Favourite moment stoking a male Eastern Bongo that was due to be moved to another collection (such a beautiful species).
Two highlights were a baby Congo Buffalo born the day before and feeding morris the Giraffe a bottle.
I also got to see the off-show breeding group of Philippine Deer and feed them mushrooms. I also got to get up close to Mbuti (okapi) which was fantastic.
I also feed the bears getting a good view of the dens in the house and all around the enclosure.
Favourite moment stoking a male Eastern Bongo that was due to be moved to another collection (such a beautiful species).
I did a week work experience at WMSP, where I spent a lot of time in the jeep watching the lions. Got a bit boring, but we spent ages playing chase with the white lion cubs before the public came in which was fun. I also worked with the sealions.
I also did 2 weeks at Whipsnade, where I worked with the Bison, sealions again, bears, indian rhinos, reindeer and otters. Preferred this placement, worked with a better variety of animals. Got to see the sloth bears up close which was cool, the elderly female seemed to like me, apparently I looked like her old keeper from London. Also fed the indian rhinos and their calves, and helped round up some escaped Mara. Was great
I also did 2 weeks at Whipsnade, where I worked with the Bison, sealions again, bears, indian rhinos, reindeer and otters. Preferred this placement, worked with a better variety of animals. Got to see the sloth bears up close which was cool, the elderly female seemed to like me, apparently I looked like her old keeper from London. Also fed the indian rhinos and their calves, and helped round up some escaped Mara. Was great
I've done a day at Exmoor and a morning on the carnivore section at Longleat.
At Exmoor, I did proper work in the morning and then spent the afternoon feeding the penguins and the lemurs (they jumped on my head!)
At Longleat, I did a meet the tiger experience where I got shown around the tiger and lion houses by a senior keeper called Bob (you might of seen him on Animal Park), then drove through the reserves with him. Seeing as Bob and myself got on quite well, he let me tickle Kadu through the mesh! It was amazing! Then we went to the lion house where I was allowed to put my hand up to the mesh and let the lions lick it! Not sure what health and safety would have done but, according to Bob, the cats can't get their teeth through.
At Exmoor, I did proper work in the morning and then spent the afternoon feeding the penguins and the lemurs (they jumped on my head!)
At Longleat, I did a meet the tiger experience where I got shown around the tiger and lion houses by a senior keeper called Bob (you might of seen him on Animal Park), then drove through the reserves with him. Seeing as Bob and myself got on quite well, he let me tickle Kadu through the mesh! It was amazing! Then we went to the lion house where I was allowed to put my hand up to the mesh and let the lions lick it! Not sure what health and safety would have done but, according to Bob, the cats can't get their teeth through.
Well I'm generally two young for keeper-for-a-days (though I'm eagerly awaiting turning 16 next year so I can do one at Marwell), but I have done a falconry experience at the Hawk Conservancy, which involved cleaning one of the avairies, flying a milky eagle owl and doing a falconer's talk.
In 2006, I also found myself lucky enough to become the animal expert on a CBBC show Level Up. The BBC had called the junior clubs of different zoos for anyone, and when they rung Marwell's oryx club they decided to put me forward, and long story short I got the job after my audition. Anyway, one of my shows saw me doing a film piece at London Zoo, where I both did presenter work in front of the camera and aided some of the keepers; I helped clean the penguin pool, feed the giraffes, rearrange the coati enclosure and feed the lemurs, the latter of which I particuarly enjoyed. Felt a bit like the Animal Park presenters through it all.
In 2006, I also found myself lucky enough to become the animal expert on a CBBC show Level Up. The BBC had called the junior clubs of different zoos for anyone, and when they rung Marwell's oryx club they decided to put me forward, and long story short I got the job after my audition. Anyway, one of my shows saw me doing a film piece at London Zoo, where I both did presenter work in front of the camera and aided some of the keepers; I helped clean the penguin pool, feed the giraffes, rearrange the coati enclosure and feed the lemurs, the latter of which I particuarly enjoyed. Felt a bit like the Animal Park presenters through it all.
Haha, I did two weeks at Exmoor and loved it. I too fed the lemurs and penguins. The lemurs were so gentle. You'd pull a grape out of the bag and about four would all wrap their hands around your finger trying to pull the grape towards their own mouth. The penguins kept snapping at my knees if I didnt give them enough fish and I was getting closer and closer to the waters edge. Haha
Did a talk on Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Wallabies and took part in talks on Polecats, Alpacas, Snakes and Spiders. Worked with the monkeys and tortoises every day and their Armadillo 'Pedro' was just brilliant. He's like a little dog. You go in and he comes bounding up at you with his tail wagging.
Yup. Feeding the lemurs was the best job I got given =D
I also loved 'Ebony' the Black Leopard. Everytime you go past with your wheelbarrow she jumps at the window at you. I had to sweep all the leaves outside her enclosure to give to the yellow mongoose and she followed me wherever I went.
I also loved 'Ebony' the Black Leopard. Everytime you go past with your wheelbarrow she jumps at the window at you. I had to sweep all the leaves outside her enclosure to give to the yellow mongoose and she followed me wherever I went.