Zoo Jobs: Primate Care Staff

Primate Care Staff - Internship

Location - Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, Dorset

This internationally-acclaimed rescue centre, in 65 acres of beautiful Dorset woodland, is home to over 250 primates. Many have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions, or experienced unbelievable cruelty. At Monkey World, we strive to provide them company of their own kind in a safe and natural environment. Monkey World was set up in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide a permanent, stable home for abused Spanish chimps. Today, his wife, Dr Alison Cronin and the primate care staff continue to rescue and rehabilitate primates from all over the world.

We currently have a vacancy for a twelve month internship within our Primate Care Staff Department. This position offers a practical work placement. The successful applicant will work our 7 week rolling roster system which includes working weekends.

The Role

The successful candidate will be working on one of the six primate sections at the park. They will be involved in the day to day care of the primates including cleaning, diet preparation, health monitoring and enrichment.

Applicants must be 18 years old or over, therefore our internships could work for individuals taking a gap-year between Further Education and Higher Education, sandwich placements or those who have already graduated from University/College, having studied in a related subject. This internship would suit someone wishing to gain experience as grounds for their first practical animal keeping position.

This position is voluntary and therefore unpaid. We recognise that this position takes a level of commitment from individuals and therefore we aim for interns to come away with experience that will help them in their future careers. Interns will receive uniform, in-house training, and accommodation if required.

Expected duties:

• Assisting with daily animal husbandry e.g. food prep, feeding, cleaning, enrichment provision etc.

• Enclosure maintenance, cleaning and preparation

Desirable

• An animal science related qualification or working towards one.

• Previous animal-related work experience.

Required

• Good communication skills.

• Adaptable for a flexible rota.

• Able to work in a team and independently.

• Physically fit for the demands of this role.

• 18 years +