Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve & Howletts Wild Animal Park
Voluntary Primate Keeper Internship

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Closing date: Ongoing
Looking to gain experience in the zoo industry?
At Howletts Wild Animal Park, situated near Canterbury in Kent, we have a voluntary internship placement available on the Primate Section. We are looking for a passionate, hardworking individual to work alongside our small team of enthusiastic and likeminded Primate Keepers. Howletts works in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation; a charity committed to the conservation of rare and endangered animals through breeding and reintroduction programmes.
Howletts are home to a collection of rare and endangered primates, including Javan gibbons, Dusky langurs, Sulawesi macaques, Pied tamarins and Gelada baboons to name a few. The individual will be taught different primate husbandry techniques, as well as the opportunity to operate vehicles, therefore a clean manual driving licence will be an advantage.
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These placements are an excellent opportunity for you to shadow our keepers and to learn all aspects of animal husbandry. They will provide comprehensive practical training and significant insight into a successful and responsible zoological collection, with the goal of promoting your future employability in a career in animal husbandry.
This placement is ideal for individuals already studying or have recently finished an animal related course and are looking to gain experience in the zoo industry. Previous experience with animal husbandry is beneficial, but not essential to the role.
- Requirements:
- Must be 18 or over
- Good level of fitness
- Happy with heavy lifting and working with heights


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- Commitment:
- 3-5 days a week for 4-6 months
- Two individuals required to start in the near future
As we are a Registered Charity, funded entirely by visitor fees and donations, we regret we are unable to offer any wages or salary for the placement. We will provide uniform and discount at the park’s food outlets for the days that you attend work. No other financial benefits are offered. Candidates will need to have the ability to financially support themselves for the entire length of the internship. Please be aware that unfortunately we are unable to accept non-UK residents or offer accommodation.
To apply, email your CV and covering letter to Simon Griggs, Volunteer@howlettsandportlympne.com
Please specify which internship you are applying for in your email subject.
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