Senior Animal Keepers

Miral; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Miral Experiences is hiring a Senior Animal Keeper to support the safe and professional operation of animal collections and facilities in Abu Dhabi. You will lead a team of Animal Keepers, ensure welfare, biosecurity, and SOP adherence, and collaborate with Curators, Veterinarians, Nutritionists, and Training staff to support the organization’s objectives.

The role emphasizes safety, incident prevention, and hands-on management of daily husbandry, welfare assessments, and regulatory compliance

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in a modern zoological institution, aquarium, wildlife park, safari park, conservation center, or similar facility.
• Experience handling and managing potentially dangerous animal species under strict safety protocols.
• Experience implementing and following formal SOPs, risk assessments, and emergency procedures.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and training junior animal care staff.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and oversee daily husbandry, care, feeding, cleaning, enrichment, observation, training, and management of assigned animal collections.
• Ensure animal care activities meet modern international zoological standards.
• Monitor animal welfare indicators, medical concerns, and environmental conditions; report findings.
• Support welfare assessments and welfare improvement initiatives.
• Provide day-to-day supervision, coaching, and mentorship to Animal Keepers; coordinate with Curators, Veterinarians, Nutritionists, and Training staff.
• Maintain high standards in animal holding facilities, back-of-house areas, and exhibit support spaces.
• Assist in training and development of new staff; promote growth and accountability.
• Ensure accurate animal records and compliance with regulations; participate in audits and inspections.

Skills

Animal care expertise

Safety culture

SOP compliance

Staff supervision

Training junior staff

Record keeping

Emergency response

Tools

ZIMS software

Job description

Join us at Miral Experiences!

Miral Experiences is a region s leader in the management and operation of world-class, award-winning immersive attractions and experiences across Abu Dhabi. Our diverse portfolio includes some of the most iconic entertainment and leisure destinations, including Ferrari World Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Yas Island Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi, CLYMB Yas Island Abu Dhabi, and TeamLab. Phenomena Abu Dhabi as well as cultural treasures like Qasr Al Watan.

We specialize in crafting unique experiences that cater to all tastes and ages, delivering a seamless blend of thrills, joy, and discovery. Our attractions are designed to ignite the imagination and create unforgettable memories for visitors from around the world. Whether you're seeking excitement, relaxation, or cultural enrichment, we offer something for everyone.

About the Role

The Senior Animal Keeper is responsible for supporting the safe and professional operation of assigned animal collections and facilities while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, husbandry, occupational safety, biosecurity, and operational compliance.

The role serves as a senior frontline leader within the Animal Care team and is expected to act as a role model for safe zoological operations, adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), emergency preparedness, animal welfare excellence, and professional animal management practices.

The Senior Animal Keeper provides day-to-day supervision, coaching, and mentorship to Animal Keepers while working closely with Curators, Veterinarians, Nutritionists, Animal Training staff, and other operational departments to support the strategic objectives of Al Ain Zoo.

Key Responsibilities

Animal Care & Welfare

• Deliver and oversee the daily husbandry, care, feeding, cleaning, enrichment, observation, training, and management of assigned animal collections.

• Ensure that all animal care activities meet or exceed modern international zoological standards.

• Monitor animal behavior, welfare indicators, medical concerns, and environmental conditions and report findings promptly.

• Participate in animal welfare assessments and support implementation of welfare improvement initiatives.

• Support breeding, reproductive management, introductions, transfers, and animal transport activities as directed.

Safe Zoological Operations

• Promote and demonstrate a strong culture of safety at all times.

• Ensure strict compliance with all operational SOPs, risk assessments, permit-to-work systems, and emergency procedures.

• Maintain absolute adherence to dangerous animal safety protocols, lock procedures, key control systems, protected contact principles, lockout/tagout processes, and all established safety barriers.

• Conduct daily safety checks of animal holding facilities, gates, locks, equipment, barriers, shift-change procedures, and operational controls.

• Immediately identify, report, and help mitigate operational hazards and safety risks.

• Participate in emergency drills and emergency response activities.

Facility & Back-of-House Management

• Maintain high standards within animal holding facilities, service areas, keeper corridors, off-display enclosures, veterinary holding, quarantine facilities, and other back-of-house infrastructure.

• Support exhibit maintenance programs and coordinate facility improvement requests.

• Ensure housekeeping, organization, cleanliness, biosecurity, and professional operating standards are maintained throughout assigned areas.

• Verify equipment remains functional, properly maintained, and safe for use.

Team Leadership & Staff Development

• Provide daily guidance, supervision, and mentorship to Animal Keepers.

• Assist in the training and development of new staff members.

• Promote professional growth and continuous learning within the team.

• Help maintain high levels of engagement, accountability, teamwork, and operational discipline.

• Act as relief supervisor when delegated.

Records & Compliance

• Ensure accurate and timely completion of all animal records, daily reports, husbandry records, enrichment records, behavioral observations, training records, safety checks, and operational documentation.

• Support compliance with institutional requirements, regional regulations, accreditation standards, and professional best practices.

• Participate in audits, inspections, welfare reviews, and accreditation processes.

Conservation, Education & Professional Engagement

• Support Al Ain Zoo's conservation, sustainability, research, and education objectives.

• Act as a professional ambassador of the organization.

• Participate in professional development opportunities and knowledge sharing activities.

• Remain up to date on emerging zoological husbandry, welfare, safety, and conservation practices.

Desired Candidate Profile

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in a modern zoological institution, aquarium, wildlife park, safari park, conservation center, or similar facility.

• Demonstrated experience working in animal holding facilities and complex back-of-house zoological environments.

• Experience handling and managing potentially dangerous animal species under strict safety protocols.

• Experience implementing and following formal SOPs, risk assessments, and emergency procedures.

• Experience supervising, mentoring, and training junior animal care staff.

Desirable

• Experience within institutions accredited by or operating to standards of:

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

• European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)

• South East Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association (SEAZA)

• World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

• British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)

• Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA)

• Experience with:

• Dangerous animal management

• Protected contact systems

• Animal training and behavioral husbandry

• Positive reinforcement training

• Animal welfare assessment programs

• Incident investigations

• Emergency response systems

• Modern zoo record keeping systems (ZIMS preferred)