Zookeeper - Deer and Antelope

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); East Midlands; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Whipsnade Zoo team as a Zoo Keeper, focusing on the care and management of a diverse range of ungulates including species like Père David’s deer and Scimitar-horned oryx. This dynamic role involves animal care, health monitoring, and engaging with visitors to promote conservation efforts while working in an experienced team dedicated to high welfare standards.

Qualifications

• Completion of Zookeeper apprenticeship or equivalent.
• Practical experience with hoof-stock in a zoo or similar setting.
• Full manual driving license required.

Responsibilities

• Support the care, feeding, and health monitoring of ungulates.
• Record and maintain data regarding animal management.
• Engage with the public to provide educational experiences.

Skills

Animal Care & Welfare

Health Monitoring

Record Keeping

Visitor Engagement

Collaboration

Education

Zookeeper and Aquarist Apprenticeship Programme

Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA)

Job description

ZSL - Whipsnade Zoo

East Midlands Closing date for applications is: 9th Jul 2025

An exciting opportunity is now available to join the Deer and Antelope section at Whipsnade Zoo as a Zoo Keeper. You'll become a valued member of a dedicated and experienced team, passionate about the care, welfare, and management of a diverse range of ungulates.

The section is home to large breeding herds, including some of the world’s most remarkable and endangered species such as the Indochinese sika deer (extinct in the wild), Père David’s deer, White-lipped deer, and Michie’s tufted deer. It also includes species managed under the European Endangered Species Programmes, including Scimitar-horned oryx, Visayan warty pigs, Przewalski’s horses, and Barasingha. Additional residents include Wild boar, Bactrian camels, and Yak.

The team is committed to continuous improvement, high standards of welfare, and active contribution to global conservation through breeding and husbandry excellence.

ZSL’s zoos operate 7 days a week, and this role requires an average of 37.5 hours per week, worked on a rota that includes weekends and bank holidays.

Key responsibilities:

• Animal Care & Welfare:Support the preparation of approved diets and feeding procedures, maintain high standards of hygiene in enclosures, and assist with the delivery of enrichment and training programmes to support animal wellbeing.
• Health Monitoring:Observe animal behaviour, health, and security daily, administering veterinary treatments as directed and promptly reporting concerns to Lead Keepers or Section Managers.
• Record Keeping:Accurately input data into daily records, ZIMS, and risk assessments, ensuring compliance with internal procedures and animal management protocols.
• Visitor Engagement:Help create a positive and educational visitor experience by engaging with the public in a friendly and informative manner.
• Collaboration & Conservation:Work closely with the curatorial, veterinary, and research teams to support conservation goals and uphold equality, diversity, and inclusion standards in all aspects of your work.

About You:

• Successful completion of the Zookeeper and Aquarist Apprenticeship Programme or a Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) qualification (or equivalent).
• Practical experience of working with animals in a Zoo or aquarium (preferably hoof-stock in a zoological or similar setting).
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and a pro-active approach to completing tasks beneficial to the section/department.
• Ability to deliver keeper talks and presentations.
• Demonstrates respectful, punctual, reliable, trustworthy, and diligent behaviour
• Capable of supporting volunteers, apprentices, students, and colleagues as requested.
• Staff who are contracted in this role at our Whipsnade Zoo site require a full manual driving license as an essential requirement.
• This role is physically demanding and involves long periods of standing, walking, lifting, and other manual tasks. It requires working outdoors in all weather conditions as well as indoors in environments with artificially high temperatures, with regular direct exposure to animals.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

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)