Qualified Keeper - Giraffe and Rhino Section

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading zoological organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a Qualified Keeper to join the Giraffe and Rhino section. The role requires a dedicated individual with at least 18 months of experience in a zoological setting. Responsibilities include maintaining animal welfare, leading enrichment activities, and ensuring safe husbandry practices. This full-time position offers an opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts and engage visitors with various species. The closing date for applications is 13th Feb 2026.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 18 months+ experience working in a zoological collection.
• Ability to deliver enclosure encounters to zoo visitors.
• Experience in animal husbandry and breeding management.

Responsibilities

• Carry out husbandry duties for a range of species.
• Maintain high standards of welfare for animals.
• Input ideas for animal husbandry progression and enclosure design.

Skills

Motivated

Hardworking

Animal husbandry

Enclosure design

Job description

Qualified Keeper - Giraffe and Rhino Section

Colchester Zoological Society

East Anglia – Closing date for applications is: 13th Feb 2026

Colchester Zoological Society (CZS) is home to over 150 species and is dedicated to supporting conservation projects around the globe. As an award‑winning visitor attraction with over 1 million guests visiting each year, every staff member at the zoo works together to ensure that our guests have an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.

An exciting position has arisen for a Qualified Keeper to join our team and contribute to our mission at CZS in a full‑time role working within our Giraffe and Rhino section; a mixed taxa section responsible for giraffes, white rhinos, greater kudus, ostriches, crowned cranes, aardvarks and pygmy hippos.

The candidate will work within the Animal Department to carry out husbandry duties and maintain high standards of welfare for the animal species in their care. As a Qualified Keeper, the candidate will be required to input ideas for the continual progression and development of animal husbandry, breeding management and enclosure design on the section. The Qualified Keeper will be responsible for carrying out day to day husbandry on the section for a range of species and ensuring safe working practices, as well as delivering enclosure encounters and experiences to zoo visitors for a range of species across the section.

We are looking for an individual who is highly motivated and hardworking, with a minimum of 18 months+ experience working in a zoological collection. A personnel specification is available on the job description detailing essential requirements for the position.

Apply for this job:

Further details of the job role can be found here:
https://www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com/about-us/careers/