British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Animal Keeper Professional Intern Placements
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Fife Zoo
Closing date for applications is: 1st Dec 2027
Contact: Dr Matt Hartley (Matt@fifezoo.co.uk)
Sector: Animal Care
Type: Work Experience
Contract type: Full-time
Salary: None
12-month voluntary work placements starting at any point in the year.
This is your opportunity to gain invaluable work experience with one of the UK’s newest and developing zoos. The internship is structured as a professional training opportunity.
All of our 2025/6 interns have gained full-time permanent animal keeper roles in BIAZA zoos.
Fife Zoo is an Accredited Member of the European Association. The zoo coordinates and participates in European Breeding Programmes and manages a range of conservation and native wildlife projects including monitoring wild red squirrels on the zoo site.
You’ll Be Part Of The Animal Keeping Teams
You will work with our diverse collection of birds, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates. You will:
- Receive on-the-job experience in the husbandry of all the species in the zoo with hands-on animal care.
- Contribute to enclosure design and development, animal enrichment, animal training, and welfare assessments.
- Assist with veterinary procedures with our on-site specialist vets.
- Undertake our native species surveys and wildlife research work.
- Take part in our conservation education work such as meet and greet sessions, tours, and engagement activities.
- Attend monthly training workshops led by international animal welfare, veterinary, and conservation specialists.
- Complete a portfolio of projects evidencing the work you have completed to show to future employers
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This role may provide the opportunity to combine your work placement with a ‘sandwich year’ at university depending on your university’s terms and requirements.
We can also support and provide time for dissertation projects and research (a range of projects determined by Fife Zoo will be offered supervised by an FHEA.
The work placement
- Voluntary work placement for a period of 12 months commencing throughout the year dependent on mutual agreement.
- We only have 4 placements so you will have close support and unique opportunities.
- Comprehensive practical training covering a wide range of subjects, aiming to promote your future employability in the zoo community.
- We expect full-time hours, working 5 days out of 7 on a rota including some weekends, working 8.30am to 4.30pm.
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Our requirements
- Studying for, or have completed, an animal or environmental related course at HND, FdSc, or Degree level
- Interest in all aspects of animal husbandry and the work of Fife Zoo
- Ability to work as an individual or as part of a team with excellent communication skills
- Ability to financially support yourself for the entire length of the work placement. Due to HMRC restrictions we cannot offer any financial support.
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
These roles can be flexible so please apply and discuss with us.
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