living inside a zoo

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millyilkin

New Member
I've been wondering... do people live inside zoos (proper, reasonably sized zoos)? I know the Irwins live inside Australia Zoo, but am wondering whether that's common practice. What is it like living inside a zoo? I imagine for kids growing up in a zoo it is pretty exciting...
 
I lived in Blackpool Zoo a few summers back for just under 6 weeks. I was doing a short Assistant Curatorial internship, so rather than find short term accommodation, it made sense for me to stay there.It was great, as it meant that I was able to walk around the zoo after hours. Apart from me, some keepers lived at the zoo full time.
There are plenty of other zoos in the UK that have housing for their keepers; some are on site, and some may be just outside the zoo.
 
millyilkin said:
I've been wondering... do people live inside zoos (proper, reasonably sized zoos)? I know the Irwins live inside Australia Zoo, but am wondering whether that's common practice. What is it like living inside a zoo? I imagine for kids growing up in a zoo it is pretty exciting...
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I lived in keeper accommodation at Chessington zoo, UK., for two and a half years. It was great, but a bit creepy walking through the zoo on dark nights! All sorts of strange noises from various species.
 
Dartmoor Zoo in Dartmoor, England was purchased by a Benjamin Mee in August of 2006, with his wife and two children, unfortunately the wife passed not long after, the family of four moved to the house central in the zoo. They re-opened the zoo in July 2007. Previously to this a Elis Daw lived in the zoo, he was the founder of the zoo in 1968 until 2006, when the licence was revoked

The 2011 film, We Bought A Zoo, starring Matt Damon is based on Benjamin Mee’s purchase of the zoo
 
Jersey zoo has staff accommodation for ~5 keepers plus the head of birds and the honorary director in the manor. And Edinburgh zoo used to have a staff flat above one of the restaurants.
 
Prague zoo historically had accomodation quarters for part of their keepers with families within zoo premises. During the big flood in 2002, when all personel was up whole night rescuing animals, this housing was under like 7 meters of water and because of damage, it had to be torn down afterwards. Some people lost everything that day minus clothes they had on.
 
I believe the director of the Bronx Zoo/WCS lives on grounds. I'm not sure where, though, but I'd guess maybe in the old house that's behind World of Reptiles.

~Thylo
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I believe the director of the Bronx Zoo/WCS lives on grounds. I'm not sure where, though, but I'd guess maybe in the old house that's behind World of Reptiles.

~Thylo
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Dr. William Conway lived on the grounds for many years. The house was between Wild Asia and the main parking lot. I believe it has been demolished. No directors/presidents have lived on grounds since.
The complex behind the reptile building is the service area (maintenance, etc.)
 
Zooplantman said:
Dr. William Conway lived on the grounds for many years. The house was between Wild Asia and the main parking lot. I believe it has been demolished. No directors/presidents have lived on grounds since.
The complex behind the reptile building is the service area (maintenance, etc.)
Click to expand...

Interesting. One of the last times I was there the monorail passed Jim Breheny speaking with some people by one of the enclosures and the driver told us he lives on grounds.

~Thylo
 
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