British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Keeper Volunteer - Farm and Deer & Antelope Sections
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ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Bedfordshire
Closing date for applications is: 13th Sep 2026
Contact: Sara Nicholas (Volunteering@zsl.org)
Sector: Animal Care
Type: Volunteer
Contract type: Part-time
Salary: Voluntary Position
We are looking for volunteers to support both our Farm and our Deer & Antelope sections at Whipsnade Zoo. Below is some information about each section.
Hullabazoo Farm
Hullabazoo Farm is an interactive, up-close adventure area, where visitors can meet and greet a range of farmyard animals, including miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, pigs, sheep and guinea pigs. The volunteer role involves both supporting the Keeper Team with a range of day-to-day animal care tasks and engaging with visitors inside the walk through. More experienced volunteers may have the chance to be involved in animal handling, grooming, animal training and meet and greet experiences.
Deer and Antelope Section
The Deer and Antelope section includes Deer, Camels, Gaur, Wild boar, Visayan warty pigs, Scimitar horned oryx and many more! You'll be helping the team take care of our diverse selection of animals by cleaning enclosures, food preparation, and general husbandry. There may be opportunity to observe animal training, and be involved with enrichment. You will be on your feet all day, so physical fitness is a must.
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This role runs throughout the year and we are looking for a regular commitment of one day per week. We can be flexible around which day this is on discussion with your volunteer supervisor. The hours will be agreed with the relevant section but are likely to be 8am to 5pm or 8am to 4pm in the winter.
You need to have the right permissions to volunteer to apply for this role. ZSL does not sponsor individuals requiring a visa to be in the UK. Some visas allow someone to volunteer, but others don't. If you are subject to visa requirements, you should ask UK Visas and Immigration if your visa allows you to volunteer.
Volunteer positions will last a fixed period of 6 months. Main tasks volunteer will be asked to undertake:
- Cleaning animal enclosures and houses
- Helping to maintain public viewing areas
- Preparing food for the animals
- Supporting positive visitor experiences by good customer service and visitor engagement
- Monitoring animal behaviour and public interactions where required
It is important to note that there is no direct contact with the animals, as they are managed in such a way as to encourage and retain a full range of natural behaviours and instincts.
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Anticipated qualities, skills and experience that the volunteer will bring:
- A willingness to learn and follow instructions to the letter
- Good communication skills and the initiative to check if unsure of what needs to be done or that instructions are properly understood
- A good degree of fitness as many of the tasks are very physical in nature
- Comfortable to be outside all day in extremes of weather
- Ability to work calmly and sensitively in animal environments
- Appreciation that many procedures are in place to maintain health and safety for all staff and volunteers and must be adhered to exactly
- Reliability to attend when expected and to keep the team informed if you are not able to come in
- Commitment and regular attendance
Apply For This Job
Applicants must be aged 18 or above and the role will last for 6 months.
To apply please complete the form here: Whipsnade Zoo Keeper Volunteer Farm and Deer & Antelope Application Form 2026 – Fill in form.
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