Job opportunities

Animal Keeper - Lemur Land

Job title: Animal Keeper – Lemur Land

Location: Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park, FK9 4UR

Salary: From £25,100 p.a. (depending on experience)

Benefits: Generous Employer Contribution Company Pension, Life Insurance, Staff Family Passes, Annual Staff ‘Behind the Scenes Experience Voucher’, 24hr Employee Assistance Programme, 20% Staff Discount in Park, Free parking, Uniform, Support with Relocation (if required).

Working hours: 40 hours per week (10 days in 14). Weekend and bank holiday working is required.

The Company

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park was opened to the public in 1970 and was, at the time, one of Britain’s first safari parks. We are now one of the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland. The Park has a strong focus on conservation, education, and engaging with the local community. We also run a successful fundraising program for our in-situ conservation partners, called “Link to the Wild”.

We are currently looking for an experienced and innovative animal keeper to join our team in Lemur Land, our multi taxa walk-through exhibit. This position is offered on a full time, permanent basis.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity working as part of a small team with primary responsibility for the management and welfare of four species of lemurs, Sulcata tortoises, Somali sheep, Patagonian mara, and Parma wallabies.

Reporting to the Lemur Land Team Leader, your duties will include, although not limited to:

• Delivering the highest standards of animal care, including monitoring health, welfare, and general wellbeing.
• Maintaining and cleaning enclosures and animal buildings: keeping all areas to a high safety, and cleanliness standard, by having an eye for detail, and taking pride in the section’s appearance.
• Food preparation and distribution to animals; and monitoring diets against the condition of animals and life stages.
• Liaising with the collections manager and vet regarding any animal health issues, following any instructions of medication and care requirements.
• Maintaining all documentation relating to welfare standards, including daily record keeping, and animal welfare and husbandry documentation.
• Using positive reinforcement training to develop cooperative care behaviours in animals to enable voluntary involvement in their care, e.g. for weighing, administration of medication, treatment of injuries, etc.
• Assisting with the ongoing implementation of the section’s enrichment programme, and use initiative to develop new stimulating enrichment.
• Controlling stock: being responsible for ensuring correct quantities and type of animal food and supplies, are retained and stored correctly.
• Liaising with other animal sections, and departments, i.e. grounds and maintenance to maintain and advance section, and continually develop own knowledge.
• Collaborating with volunteers and wardens to uphold the walk-through’s “Lemur Laws”.
• Promoting a positive attitude within the team.

Applicant Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to deliver an excellent level of animal husbandry and welfare for the animals on the section.

The candidate must have an interest and some knowledge of managing a variety of species, preferably primates, and their complex individual requirements and behaviours.

As Lemur Land is a walk-through reserve, the candidate must have excellent observation skills, and adhere to, and be confident in reinforcing our Lemur Laws, ensuring animal, keeper, and visitor safety and wellbeing is maintained at all times.

It’s essential that they are self-motivated and capable of independent work, as lone-working will be an element of the role, while at the same time be comfortable working within a team in a supportive and positive manner. The ability to react promptly and work efficiently under pressure, and use initiative when responding to new situations is key.

They must be pro-active and take a hands-on approach within the section including some groundwork and maintenance and with an eye for detail and presentation.

Weekend, bank holiday working and flexibility in working hours is essential to this role. Some evening work will be required during special events throughout the year.

Ensuring the safety of our animals, staff, and visitors is of key importance and health & safety protocols must be followed at all times. 

Essential requirements

• Animal care experience in a similar setting – minimum 2 years.
• Animal related qualification to HND level or above, or equivalent (e.g. DMZAA).
• Demonstrable experience of providing species appropriate environments and enrichment.
• Demonstrable animal training experience, preferably using cooperative care and free shaping.
• Physically fit and hardworking.
• Excellent observational skills.
• Confident in interacting with the public in an assertive, yet calm and professional manner.
• Self-motivated and pro-active.
• Demonstrable experience of following safe working protocols.
• A current full driving licence.

Desirable requirements

• Experience of working with exotic species, preferably primates or reptiles.
• A knowledge of reptile life support systems.
• Demonstrable experience of implementing training programmes, with emphasis on training individuals in a social group.
• Chainsaw licence.
• Basic maintenance and tools knowledge and experience.