Senior Curator of Ungulates

Miral Experiences; Al Ain; On-site; AED 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Miral Experiences is seeking a Senior Curator of Ungulates to lead the strategic management of the institution's ungulate collection, focusing on welfare, conservation breeding, population health, and collaborative planning across departments.

The role requires directing population sustainability efforts, demographic forecasting, and long-term collection planning, while partnering with Veterinary Services, Education, Facilities, and Guest Experience to advance conservation objectives and staff

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Zoology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Range Management, Population Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in conservation planning, population management, genetics, wildlife management.
• Experience managing large ungulate collections, conservation breeding programs, extensive safari park populations, or regional species management initiatives with proven leadership.
• Experience managing diverse ungulate species within large zoological institutions, wildlife parks, conservation breeding centres, or safari environments.
• Doctoral degree or advanced qualification in herpetology, conservation, evolutionary biology, or related fields.
• Experience within AZA, EAZA, WAZA, SEAZA, BIAZA, ZAA, PAAZA, or similarly accredited zoological institutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, management, and development of all ungulate programs across the institution, prioritizing animal welfare and population sustainability.
• Develop sustainable herd structures, breeding interests, introductions, separations, and demographic forecasting.
• Develop and implement Species Plans and Collection Plans aligned with conservation objectives and institutional priorities.
• Possess expertise in managing free-ranging and large-herd populations in expansive safari-style habitats.
• Collaborate with Veterinary Services, Animal Welfare, Nutrition, Conservation, Facilities, Horticulture, Animal Registry, Education, and Guest Experience teams.
• Mentor and develop supervisors, senior keepers, keepers, interns, and volunteers to uphold professionalism and safety.

Skills

Conservation leadership

Population management

Zoo husbandry

Genetics understanding

Collaboration across teams

Education

Master's Degree in Zoology or related

Doctoral degree in related field

Job description

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, and CLYMB™ 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 Curator of Ungulates is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and long-term development of one of the institution's most significant zoological assets: its ungulate collection. The position provides leadership across all aspects of ungulate management, including animal welfare, husbandry, conservation breeding, population management, herd dynamics, strategic collection planning, staff development, animal movements, and regional conservation partnerships.

As the institution's lead ungulate specialist, the Senior Curator is responsible for ensuring that all ungulate populations are managed according to the highest international zoological standards while supporting the organization's broader mission of wildlife conservation, scientific advancement, education, and sustainability. The role serves as a key member of the Animal Care leadership team and contributes significantly to the institution's conservation strategy, collection planning, accreditation objectives, and international collaborations.

Unlike many traditional ungulate positions that focus primarily on daily husbandry operations, this role places particular emphasis on population sustainability, conservation breeding, demographic management, and long-term strategic planning. The successful candidate will be expected to think beyond individual animals and actively manage populations as conservation resources, ensuring their long-term genetic and demographic viability both within the institution and across regional and international programs.

Key Responsibilities

• The Senior Curator of Ungulates leads the planning, management, and development of all ungulate programs across the institution. This includes ensuring exemplary standards of animal welfare, nutrition, enrichment, veterinary collaboration, reproductive management, neonatal care, habitat utilization, and behavioral management. The position is accountable for maintaining modern, evidence-based management programs that prioritize both individual animal welfare and population sustainability.
• A major component of the role involves the management of complex herd structures, social group dynamics, and breeding populations. The Senior Curator is responsible for developing and implementing sustainable population management strategies that support conservation goals while maintaining healthy and socially appropriate herd structures. This includes managing breeding recommendations, introductions, separations, surplus management, demographic forecasting, carrying capacity assessments, and long-term collection sustainability planning.
• The position will play a leading role in the development and implementation of institutional Species Plans and Collection Plans. This requires a detailed understanding of genetics, animal demography, founder representation, population viability, and ex-situ conservation principles. The Senior Curator will ensure that animal acquisition and disposition decisions are driven by strategic conservation objectives and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Given Al Ain Zoo's unique setting, including expansive safari-style environments and large mixed-species habitats, the Senior Curator must possess strong expertise in managing free-ranging and large-herd populations. The role requires an in-depth understanding of population dynamics, social structures, reproductive strategies, carrying capacities, habitat utilization, and long-term sustainability within open-range zoological environments. The successful candidate will be capable of balancing conservation goals, welfare outcomes, visitor experience considerations, and operational requirements when managing large populations across extensive habitats.
• The Senior Curator works closely with Veterinary Services, Animal Welfare, Nutrition, Conservation, Facilities, Horticulture, Animal Registry, Education, and Guest Experience teams to ensure integrated management of all ungulate programs. The position also provides specialist input into exhibit design, capital development projects, habitat expansion initiatives, and accreditation processes.
• A significant responsibility of the role involves leadership and development of people. The Senior Curator mentors and develops supervisors, senior keepers, keepers, interns, and volunteers while fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement. The position ensures that staff are equipped with the knowledge and competencies required to manage both common and highly valuable conservation breeding populations to the highest professional standards.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's Degree in Zoology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Range Management, Population Biology, or a closely related discipline
• Experience in conservation planning, population management, genetics, wildlife management
• Experience in managing large ungulate collections, conservation breeding programs, extensive safari park populations, or regional species management initiatives will receive strong consideration, particularly where they can demonstrate a proven record of successful population management and conservation leadership
• Experience in managing diverse ungulate species and breeding populations, preferably within large zoological institutions, wildlife parks, conservation breeding centres, or safari environments
• Doctoral degree or additional advanced qualification in herpetology, conservation, evolutionary biology, or related fields
• Experience within AZA, EAZA, WAZA, SEAZA, BIAZA, ZAA, PAAZA, or similarly accredited zoological institutions

Shape the Future with Us

At Miral Experiences, we don’t just create world-class destinations - we create unforgettable memories for our guests and remarkable careers for our people.

From theme parks and attractions to guest services and behind-the-scenes roles, every member of our team plays a part in delivering exceptional experiences. We’re driven by passion, powered by innovation, and committed to excellence in everything we do.

We’re looking for passionate, driven, and talented individuals who are ready to grow, lead, and make a difference. No matter your background or expertise, there's a place for you at Miral Experiences.