Animal Keeper - Birds of Prey

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); Bramhall; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent wildlife park in the UK seeks an enthusiastic Animal Keeper for its Birds of Prey section. This full-time role entails caring for various bird species, delivering educational demonstrations, and ensuring high standards of welfare. The ideal candidate should have experience with birds of prey, strong communication skills, and a commitment to conservation efforts. Flexibility in working hours, including weekends and bank holidays, is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience working/training medium to large eagle species preferred.
• Experience working/training different falcon species preferred.
• A current full driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the care of birds and ensure high standards are maintained.
• Deliver high quality free flight bird demonstrations.
• Perform general husbandry tasks including feeding and health monitoring.

Skills

Experience of working with various bird of prey species

Good observation and communication skills

Self-motivated and enthusiastic

High understanding of following safe working protocols

Education

Zoo animal management qualification (DMZAA)

Job description

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park

Location: Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park, FK9 4UR
Salary: From £25,730 p.a. (Based on Experience)
Hours: 38.5 hours per week (10 days in 14)
Closing date for applications: 28th Nov 2025
Job title: Animal Keeper – Birds of Prey

The Company

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park was opened to the public in 1970 and was, at the time, one of Britain’s first safari parks. We are now one of the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland. The park has a strong focus on conservation, education and the local community. We also run a successful fundraising program for conservation “Link to the Wild”.

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic and confident animal keeper to join our team working with our Bird of Prey section. This position is offered on a full-time, permanent basis.

The Role

To contribute to and assist Blair Drummond’s bird staff team, ensuring that operations run smoothly and our birds are cared for to the highest standards. To provide a thrilling and educational experience for our visitors and guests.

This exciting opportunity involves working as part of a small team, delivering high quality free flight bird demonstrations for our visitors. Each demonstration showcases the unique natural behaviors of our birds whilst increasing awareness of their vital role within ecosystems. Our aim is also to highlight the need to conserve them in an educational and entertaining manner.

The position involves general husbandry tasks, such as feeding, cleaning aviaries, health monitoring and some aviary maintenance which are all delivered to a high standard.

The successful applicant must be highly motivated, flexible and hard-working. Your role will be to ensure that high standards of bird welfare and visitor experience is sustained. You will work as a valued member of the team and, in collaboration with staff across the organisation, ensure the smooth running of our visitor attraction.

All our team are expected to be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of; operant conditioning training methods for educational presentations, carrying out health checks on birds and general husbandry.

You will be responsible for maintaining a safe environment for both yourself and the visitors by adhering to associated risk assessments and protocols without exception.

This person must be a pro-active individual that will take a hands-on approach within the department with an eye for detail and presentation.

The candidate ideally should have experience of handling various bird of prey species and delivering engaging and educational talks to large audiences.

The successful candidate will be able to work well as part of a team, have the ability to use their initiative, display an interest in and commitment to animal welfare, environmental enrichment and conservation.

Weekend, bank holiday working and flexibility in working hours is essential in this role. Some evening work will be required during special events throughout the year.

Ensuring the safety of our visitors, staff and animals is of key importance and ensuring that health & safety protocols are followed at all times.

Applicant Essentials

• Experience of working with various bird of prey species.
• Promote and support the conservation mission of Blair Drummond Safari Park and its aims of being a leading Scottish visitor attraction.
• Experience working/training medium to large eagle species (preferred not essential)
• Experience working/training (lure swinging) different falcon species (preferred not essential)
• Good observation and communication skills.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic
• High understanding of following safe working protocols
• A current full driving licence.
• The zoo animal management qualification (DMZAA) is desirable but not essential for this position.

Selection Process

We will be reviewing candidates on a rolling basis. First round of selection may be virtual to limit travel, followed by a trial day on site for short-listed candidates.

Please apply via our Careers Page by following the link below.

BIAZA's office hours are 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Contact outside of those times will get a response when we are next in the office.

If your enquiry is urgent and you need a response before the BIAZA office reopens, please call Jo Judge on 07593 580602. If you wish to reach one of our members, please contact them directly.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales number 6789783. Registered Office Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY. Registered Charity Number is 1128168 and SC040783 (Scotland)