A forty year zoo journey - Love Your Zoo 2026 blog

This Love Your Zoo week, we're focussing on the journeys of the inspirational people who make zoos and conservation thrive. First off, Miguel Bueno, Head of Life Sciences at Dublin Zoo:

When I received the kind invitation to write a brief account of my career, I wondered how to summarise almost 40 years of work, experiences and life across three continents, four countries and three languages. After working in 12 different institutions—public, private and charitable, from small parks to a major multinational—it feels as though everything has passed in a moment, much like life itself. I vividly remember the emotions of my first job, back in 1988, in a beautiful oasis on the island of Gran Canaria, with a rich and varied bird collection. Having just completed my master’s degree in zoology, and at only 24 years old, I began working at one of the most beautiful bird parks I have ever known. In those days, biology was barely represented in Spanish zoos, and after repeatedly asking for an opportunity, I was finally given one. My first role involved working in the breeding station, caring for many different species, mainly parrots, but hummingbirds and sunbirds as well, brilliantly coloured nectar-feeding birds. I will never forget that unique feeling at the start of my career, and I still treasure it among my most precious memories.

My career was devoted predominantly to that taxonomic group during those early years, and I had the privilege of working with and managing major collections at Palmitos Park in Gran Canaria, Loro Parque in Tenerife, and the now-closed Ornis Mallorca acclimatisation and breeding station of the legendary Vogelpark Walsrode.

During those years, in addition to learning the management, breeding and care of many species, I also had the privilege of beginning institutional representation work by taking on studbook responsibilities and participating in TAG management. Meeting and working with colleagues from other institutions was another of the great benefits of dedicating my life to zoo work.

Another major change in my career came when I expanded the range of species I worked with, and once again I was fortunate to find an opportunity to begin working with marine mammals, mainly dolphins and sea lions based at Madrid Zoo. My experience of working within a multinational group such as the Spanish company Parques Reunidos gave me the chance to strengthen my management skills and to work corporately with multiple teams.

Launching several facilities, from design to animal transport, staff recruitment and activity management, were areas of work that allowed me to gain new knowledge and experience. Organising large and complex transports gave me the opportunity to demonstrate planning ability, team management and the handling of difficult situations, including crisis scenarios in which decision-making and resilience are critical to success.

Change has been a constant in my professional life, and the financial crisis of 2010 took away my job in Spain. After an intensive search, and thanks to a network of contacts that I had the opportunity to build in previous years, I secured a job opportunity on the other side of the world, in Chile. Those were years of great learning and personal growth, especially in learning what it means to be an immigrant in another country. I took away wonderful experiences and good friends from that period—and the unforgettable opportunity to encounter my first Humboldt penguin in the wild.

Back in Europe, another major professional stage awaited me, this time in the United Kingdom. Twycross Zoo offered me the position of General Curator, and once again I was fortunate to work with new species, mainly elephants, great apes and many other primate species. It also gave me the opportunity to receive a lot of formal training, as never before. It was a very intense period, with new responsibilities in staff management, health and safety training, and taking my first steps in managing animal welfare systems. BIAZA gave me the opportunity to learn new approaches to animal collection management, and I feel privileged to have had the chance to strengthen these fundamental aspects of our profession. Finally, Ireland has given me the opportunity to join the Irish zoological society, first at Fota Wildlife Park as Animal Care Manager, and now at Dublin Zoo as Head of Life Sciences.

In the final stretch of my career, during which I have witnessed the rapid evolution of the zoological sector, I have also been able to gain experience in in situ conservation, especially with native species, which has represented the fulfilment of both personal and professional ambitions.

My recommendation to other colleagues, especially those beginning their careers in the profession, is to enjoy the journey. Today more than ever, the passion and dedication of zoological professionals are needed. Taking satisfaction in work well done, feeling part of a team, celebrating successes and supporting one another through difficult times is the best way to move along this very special path that some of us have had the privilege to choose.

- Miguel Bueno, Head of Life Sciences at Dublin Zoo.

All blogs reflect the views of their author and are not necessarily a reflection of BIAZA's position