Animal Keeper - Mammals

Breath HR; Twycross; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days annual leave

Life assurance

Free parking

Employee assistance services

Staff admission to zoo

Discount platform

Job summary

Twycross Zoo is seeking an Animal Keeper to care for mammals including giraffes, rhinos, meerkats, tigers, snow leopards, goats, capybaras and zebras. You will keep enclosures clean, prepare food and water, monitor animal health and report concerns to the Team Leader.

The role involves public encounters and assisting with visitor events, on a three-week rotating schedule. Shifts run five days out of seven on a rotating schedule, typically 8am–5pm in summer and 8am–4pm in winter, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Experience as an Animal Keeper in a zoo environment with Category 1A mammals.
• Knowledge of animal health and zoonotic disease practices.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and distributing food and water to animals
• Learning about the animals and reporting any animal health concerns to the Team Leader
• Maintaining enclosures and public viewing areas ensuring a high standard of hygiene, cleanliness and exhibition
• Answering enquiries from the public in a helpful and polite manner, delivering encounters and assisting with visitor events

Skills

Animal care experience

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

Animal-related qualification

Job description

Vacancy listed08/09/2026

Details

The Role – Animal Keeper

As an Animal Keeper, you’ll play a key role in caring for the animals in our mammals section, which includes the large and small hoofstock, carnivores and small mammals (for example: Giraffes, Rhinos, Meerkats, Tigers, Snow Leopard, Goats, Capybara, Zebra)

You will help to ensure that animal keeping is carried out to the Zoo’s required standards, with duties that will include although not be limited to:

• Preparing and distributing food and water to animals
• Learning about the animals and reporting any animal health concerns to the Team Leader
• Assisting with maintaining enclosures and public viewing areas ensuring a high standard of hygiene, cleanliness and exhibition
• Answering enquiries from the public in a helpful and polite manner, delivering encounters and assisting with visitor events

Our Requirements - Animal Keeper

• Experience as an Animal Keeper in a zoo environment, which must have included working with Category 1A mammals
• Superb knowledge of animals that will be within your regular care and all responsible work practices relevant to zoonotic diseases
• A passion for Twycross Zoo’s work and purpose
• Self-motivated and with ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A flexible approach to duties and working hours
• Whilst we are an equal opportunities employer, you will need to be physically fit due to the nature and demands of the role

Although not essential, an appropriate animal related qualification would be highly advantageous.

Working on average 5 days out of 7 on a three-week rolling rota between the hours of 8am to 5pm during the summer and 8am to 4pm during the winter months.

Just some of the benefits include;

• 31 days annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service
• Life assurance, from day one of employment
• Company sick pay from day one of absence, after 6 months service
• Access to discount platform
• Staff membership card giving you free entry to the zoo on your days off
• Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family
• Discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop
• Discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets
• Monthly recognition award scheme
• Access to employee assistance services
• Free parking