Zoo Jobs: Trainee Animal Keeper - Large Carnivore Section

Trainee Animal Keeper - Large Carnivore Section

Salary commensurate with experience

Plus a living out allowance, or possibly, on-site accommodation.

Howletts & Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, in conjunction with the Aspinall Foundation, is a charity based organisation committed to protecting rare and endangered animals from extinction through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes. Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve has one of the leading collections of large carnivores in the UK including tigers, lions, leopards, cheetah, wolves and African painted dogs (EEP holder for this species) and spectacled bears.

Port Lympne is seeking a hardworking and dedicated keeper to work with our small team of enthusiastic and like-minded keepers on our Large Carnivore Section. The Aspinall Foundation encourages its keepers to visit relevant in-situ projects and become actively involved in our on-going reintroduction programmes.

This is a very physical role and the successful applicant will be expected to undertake all duties on the section including prepping meat and animal dispatch, enclosure cleaning, general maintenance and upkeep of enclosures including all aspects of exhibit presentation. Conservation, education and enrichment play a big role in the park so there will be plenty of opportunities for doing talks and displays to the public.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Previous experience gained in a zoo park/equivalent environment

• Knowledge of large carnivore species

• Knowledge of current conservation issues concerning large carnivores

• Experience of restraining and handling animals

• A zoo animal management qualification or willingness to work towards one

• Full, valid driving license

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Large carnivore experience

• Off road driving experience

• Butchery and livestock dispatch

• Basic building skills

Working 40 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 including weekends and bank holidays. The successful candidate will have a genuinely flexible approach to working hours. All applicants must have right to work in the UK.

The Benefits:

· 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays

· Free entry for you into both of our parks and free tickets for your family and friends