British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Experienced Animal Keeper
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Peak Wildlife Park
Closing date for applications is: 30th Aug 2026
Contact: Yaz Walker (yasmin@peakwildlifepark.co.uk)
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 Animal Keepers and Head Animal Keeper, 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:
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- 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.
Essential
To be considered for this position, you will need:
- 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.
- Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Flexibility to work weekends, bank holidays and outside normal hours when required.
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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.
Applications that do not demonstrate the required three years' professional zoo-keeping experience and a firearms certificate will not be considered.
Apply For This Job
Please email your CV and covering letter to yasmin@peakwildlifepark.co.uk
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