Purpose of the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the large Hoofstock Team at Whipsnade Zoo as a Zookeeper! In this role, you’ll play a key part in providing exceptional animal husbandry and welfare, ensuring the highest standards of care in line with industry best practices.

The section is home to an incredible collection of species, including white rhinos, reticulated giraffes, mountain bongos, and pygmy hippos. As part of a dynamic and passionate team, you’ll contribute to advancing animal care, management, and welfare, while also having the opportunity to develop your skills and reach your full potential in a world-class zoological setting.

Key responsibilities:  

  • Animal Care & Feeding: Prepare approved diets and carry out feeding procedures to ensure optimal animal nutrition.
  • Exhibit & Equipment Maintenance: Maintain the highest hygiene standards by cleaning and upkeeping exhibits, equipment, and designated areas.
  • Husbandry & Welfare Development: Contribute to improving animal welfare by helping to design innovative, enriching, and naturalistic enclosures with the team.
  • Animal Observation & Reporting: Monitor animal behaviour, health, and security, reporting any concerns to Lead Keepers, the Team Leader, or the Section Manager.
  • Training & Enrichment: Assist in developing and implementing animal training and enrichment programmes to enhance animal well-being.
  • Veterinary Support: Administer veterinary treatments under the guidance of the Veterinary Team.
  • Visitor Engagement: Deliver engaging talks and demonstrations, creating an informative and memorable experience for visitors.
  • Record Keeping: Accurately enter data into animal records, daily record sheets, and the ZIMS database to ensure comprehensive documentation.

About You

  • Passionate about animal care and thrive in a team environment, bringing enthusiasm and dedication to everything you do.
  • Strong communication skills, allowing you to engage effectively with colleagues and visitors alike.
  • Successfully completed the Zookeeper and Aquarist Apprenticeship Programme or hold a Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA).
  • Hands-on experience working with zoo animals, ideally Hoofstock.
  • A full UK driving licence, enabling you to carry out duties across the site efficiently.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.  

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.  

 

What do we offer?  

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:  

  • Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct 
  • Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension. 
  • Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you  
  • Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays  
  • Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme  
  • Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day 
  • Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops  
  • Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle  
  • Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work  
  • Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages 
NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.

What our team say...

Other jobs like this

Careers Site Advertising End Date
16 Apr 2025
All Locations
Whipsnade Zoo
All Departments
Animal operations and zookeeping
Advertising Salary
£24,990 per annum
Vacancy Type
Permanent
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Careers Site Advertising End Date
21 Apr 2025
All Locations
Philippines
All Departments
International field programmes
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Global Conservation and Field Programmes
Contract length
3 years (initial 12 months then extension)
Careers Site Advertising End Date
19 Apr 2025
All Locations
London Zoo
All Departments
Animal operations and zookeeping
Advertising Salary
£25,742 per annum
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
6 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
15 Apr 2025
All Locations
London Zoo
All Departments
Animal operations and zookeeping
Advertising Salary
£25,742 per annum (FTE)
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
6 months (starting from May)
Careers Site Advertising End Date
21 Apr 2025
All Locations
Institute of Zoology
All Departments
Science research
Advertising Salary
£41,537 per annum (including London Weighting)
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
Hybrid
Science and Research
Contract length
4 Years
Careers Site Advertising End Date
21 Apr 2025
All Locations
Institute of Zoology
All Departments
Science research
Advertising Salary
£41,537 per annum (including London Weighting)
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
Hybrid
Science and Research
Contract length
4 Years
Careers Site Advertising End Date
14 Apr 2025
All Locations
Head Office (Regents Park)
All Departments
UK conservation programmes
Advertising Salary
£31,500 per annum (FTE)
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Global Conservation and Field Programmes
Contract length
10 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
08 Apr 2025
All Locations
Head Office (Regents Park)
All Departments
Science research
Advertising Salary
£25,433 per annum (FTE)
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
Hybrid
Science and Research
Contract length
6 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
04 Apr 2025
All Locations
Whipsnade Zoo
All Departments
Animal operations and zookeeping
Advertising Salary
£12.00 per hour
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
8 months