Experienced Animal Keeper

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA); Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Peak Wildlife Park is seeking an enthusiastic Experienced Animal Keeper to join our animal team.

The role requires a minimum of three years paid professional keeping experience within a recognised zoological collection. You will work under Senior Keepers to support day-to-day animal husbandry, welfare and conservation across the park, including talks and public engagement.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years paid professional experience as a keeper within a recognised zoological collection.
• Holder of a firearms certificate.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Strong practical husbandry skills and understanding of modern zoo welfare.
• Experience in enrichment, training and health monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high standards of animal care and welfare.
• Prepare and present species-appropriate diets.
• Clean and furnish enclosures and maintain records.
• Conduct daily health, welfare and behavioural observations.
• Report concerns and changes in health promptly.
• Provide environmental enrichment and animal training.
• Maintain accurate records in ZIMS.
• Support veterinary training and preventative healthcare.
• Engage visitors through talks and encounters.

Skills

Practical husbandry

Public talks

Animal health monitoring

Teamwork

Education

Firearms certificate

Full UK driving licence

Tools

ZIMS

Job description

Peak Wildlife Park

West Midlands Closing date for applications is: 31st Aug 2026

Contact: Yaz Walker ([e-mail]) Sector: Animal Care Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: Dependant on experience

Peak Wildlife Park is looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Experienced Animal Keeper to join our animal team.

This position is aimed at an established keeper with a minimum of three years' paid professional keeping experience within a recognised zoological collection.

We're looking for someone who can bring strong practical husbandry skills, sound judgement and experience to the team. You should be confident working independently, able to use your initiative and comfortable taking responsibility for the high standards expected within your areas of work.

As an Experienced Animal Keeper, you will work under the direction of and report to the Senior Keepers, supporting them in the effective day-to-day running of the animal sections.

You'll work alongside our wider keeping team and senior staff to deliver excellent standards of animal welfare, husbandry, conservation and visitor engagement across the park.

The Role

As an Experienced Animal Keeper, you'll undertake all aspects of day-to-day animal husbandry, including:

• Delivering excellent standards of animal care and welfare.
• Preparing and presenting species-appropriate diets.
• Cleaning, maintaining and furnishing animal enclosures.
• Carrying out detailed daily health, welfare and behavioural observations.
• Recognising changes in animal health or behaviour and reporting concerns appropriately.
• Planning and delivering effective environmental enrichment.
• Planning and delivering effective animal training.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date animal records, including the use of ZIMS.
• Supporting preventative healthcare and cooperative veterinary training.
• Carrying out practical enclosure maintenance and contributing to enclosure improvements.
• Following risk assessments, SOPs and health and safety procedures at all times.
• Delivering engaging keeper talks, encounters and other visitor-facing activities.
• Supporting the park's wider conservation and education objectives.

About You

To be considered for this position, you will need:

Essential

• Minimum three years paid professional experience as a keeper within a recognised zoological collection.
• Holder of a firearms certificate.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Strong practical husbandry skills and a good understanding of modern zoo animal welfare.
• Experience in animal enrichment, animal training and behavioural/health monitoring.
• Ability to work confidently and independently, using initiative and sound judgement.
• Good animal record-keeping skills.
• Confident communicating with visitors and delivering public talks.
• Strong practical, communication and teamwork skills.
• A proactive, reliable, flexible and professional approach.
• Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Flexibility to work weekends, bank holidays and outside normal hours when required.

Desirable

• DMZAA or another relevant Level 3 or higher zoo/animal-management qualification.
• Experience using ZIMS.
• Experience working with Category 1 species.
• Experience with veterinary procedures.
• Familiarity with BIAZA and EAZA standards and modern zoo best practice.

This is a full-time, permanent position working as part of the Animal Department rota.

The role includes weekends and bank holidays and requires flexibility in line with the operational and emergency needs of the park.

Applicants that are willing to obtain a firearms certificate are encouraged to apply.