Job opportunities

Animal Keeper - Apes

Details

Twycross Zoo is an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo in the heart of England. This year we are celebrating our 60th birthday! We are rapidly growing and welcoming over 600,000 people every year to our 100-acre rural site near Atherstone.
 
This is an exciting time to join us as we enter a new chapter following restructure and new leadership, providing the ideal opportunity to help increase our impact on mammal conservation efforts and be part of a new era at Twycross Zoo. 
 
We are home to over 400 animals, including one of the largest chimpanzee families in the UK, and our primate collection is up there with the best in the world! We’re the only zoo in the UK to house all four species of great ape and we care for many other endangered species to the highest welfare standards, including Eastern black rhino, Sumatran tigers, Ecuadorian amazon parrots and no less than four species of gibbon.
 
The Role – Animal Keeper – Great Apes 

As an Animal Keeper, you’ll play a key role in caring for the animals on our ape section which includes all of the four species and the only zoo in the UK where you can work with bonobos.
 
You will help to ensure that animal keeping is carried out to the Zoo’s high standards, with duties that will include although not be limited to:
 
· Follow section husbandry and management routines to deliver a high level of animal care to relevant species including, but not limited to, enclosure servicing, diet provision, positive reinforcement training and providing a full range of enrichment opportunities.
· Conduct observations on the relevant animals during the working day, reporting anything unusual or concerning to a senior member of the team.
· Ensure all relevant risk assessments, standard operating procedures and policies are followed at all times, to ensure best practice for safe working, in line with health and safety practices.
· Be proactive in looking for ways to improve own working knowledge and keep abreast of best practice of relevant species. Show initiative in how TZ can continually improve the wellbeing of its animals.
· Record all required elements of animal data as directed by senior section staff. To include, but to limited to, section diary entries, DAM daily reports and single data entry points on ZIMS.
· Engage with visitors on site, which may include delivering or assisting with animal talks and public feeds. 
· Be supportive and help facilitate the work of other departments, including veterinary, maintenance, zoo-based research, conservation education and animal services. Show initiative in the suggestion of beneficial zoo-based research for the relevant species.
 
Our Requirements - Animal Keeper 
 
· A BSc (or equivalent experience) in an animal or conservation related subject desirable.
· Achieved the DMZAA (or equivalent) qualification desirable.
· Knowledge of the relevant taxa, including their physiology, natural behaviours and management practices in zoos.
· Experience of working with great apes in a zoo environment.
· High level of motivation in delivering high standards and the pursuit of excellence.
· Demonstrate good time management skills with the ability to prioritise work and work independently.
· A competent communicator at all levels across the society. Be appreciative and follow the need for confidentiality where appropriate.
· IT competent in MS Office and ZIMS.
· Knowledge of breeding programme management and the wider role of modern zoos in species and habitat conservation. Have some understanding of the work of BIAZA and EAZA.
· Committed to supporting zoos in increasing our impact on species conservation.
· Flexibility in working times and duties is a key requirement.
 
You’ll work 37.5 hours per week on average, 5 days out of 7 on a three-week rolling rota.
 
 More About Us
 
Twycross Zoo is at the forefront of conservation, education and research. We have a strong commitment to our award-winning education programme, aiming to increase the level of awareness, knowledge and understanding of visitors about our animals. We aim to inspire visitors to support biodiversity conservation in any way they can.  
 
This is an exciting time to join Twycross Zoo following £20m grant funding to develop the Global Conservation Centre (NSCC) on the Twycross Zoo site. The NSCC will support vital work around species conservation. It will bring together experts in conservation science and train the next generation of conservationists, whilst offering researchers from around the world the opportunity to study the four great apes and other endangered species, in naturalistic complex environments. The facilities will include a lecture theatre, classrooms, and laboratories, all planned to open in 2026.
 
Benefits

Permanent contract
Salary of £25,200
31 days annual leave
Life assurance
Access to ‘Perkbox’
Staff membership card giving you free entry to the zoo on your days off
Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family
25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop
25% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets
Star of the month award scheme
Access to employee assistance services
Company sick pay from day one of absence