Volunteering
Volunteering can be an excellent opportunity to gain experience, make new friends and help make a difference to your local BIAZA zoo or aquarium. Volunteering opportunities are available across a number of BIAZA members in a wide variety of roles. You can find your nearest BIAZA member here and then see if they have opportunities listed below. Please note that we have a separate work experience page here.
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the weblinks or use the contact details provided next to the collection. If you are a BIAZA member who’d like to update their volunteering information, please email [email protected]
| ZSEA AFRICA ALIVE! |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| No |
We are not currently recruiting new volunteers. Opportunities, when they become available, will be advertised on our website. Volunteer opportunities are not suitable for students looking for placements. Minimum age 18. |
Contact details: www.africa-alive.co.uk, [email protected] |
| ZSEA BANHAM ZOO |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| No |
We are not currently recruiting new volunteers. Opportunities, when they become available, will be advertised on our website. Volunteer opportunities are not suitable for students looking for placements. Minimum age 18. |
Contact details: www.banhamzoo.co.uk, [email protected] |
| BEALE PARK |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Beale Park offers volunteer work on both the animals and gardens covering a range of experiences. Some areas are prohibited to volunteers. |
Please contact admin@bealepark.co.uk |
| BECKY FALLS |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Along with assisting our Animal Keepers to take care of our animals, our volunteers also interact, engage and inspire our visitors about our animals and conservation. This could be in the form of mini talks, informal chats, animal encounter sessions. These are great opportunities for improving communication skills and gaining confidence. You will need to be 18+ years of age as we require you to be able to volunteer unsupervised. There is no upper age limit. You will need to be able to volunteer your time at least 1 day per week 9am-5pm. |
Please contact: Emily Richards Becky Falls, Manaton, Newton Abbott, Devon, TQ13 9UG, [email protected] |
| BIRMINGHAM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARK |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park offers volunteering positions all year round for all aspects of zoo management and help with maintaining our gardens. Volunteers normally work 1 day per week and will be trained to help care for our collection of rare and endangered species. The work carried out by volunteers varies considerably, from feeding and cleaning to enclosure/exhibit development. During their time at the wildlife park, volunteers will learn about nutrition, enrichment, enclosure design but more importantly will get the opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with some amazing animal species. |
Contact: [email protected] |
| CHESTER ZOO |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
As a charity, volunteers provide vital support to the life of the zoo. Our award-winning volunteers complement the work of our paid staff and contribute to our success by supporting the zoo’s education, scientific and conservation mission. Our volunteers are involved in visitor engagement and educational roles. We would really love to hear from you! |
Volunteer Manager, Lindsay Marston and Volunteer Officer, Christopher Ablett [email protected] |
| CROCODILES OF THE WORLD |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Volunteering at Crocodiles of the World is a great way to either get some experience working with animals, or in helping spread the word about these incredible animals. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age, and be able to commit to at least one day per week. You must be able to work independently, under the overall supervision of one of our Animal Team. Positions are available in either the Animal, Education or Admin teams. Please note that volunteers are not able to work directly with any of the crocodilians. |
For more information, see our website or contact our Head of Education: [email protected] |
| DARTMOOR ZOO |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Volunteering at Dartmoor Zoological Park is a great way to either get some experience working with animals, undertaking maintenance work or in helping spread the word about the amazing animals that we house on our Discovery and Learning. Those volunteering on the Animal and Maintenance department are required to be 18+, whereas those volunteering on the Discovery and Learning department are required to be 16+. We do ask that all volunteers are able to commit to at least one day per week. We ask that all those interested in volunteering head to our website to fill out an ‘expression of interest form’ or you can email: [email protected] for more details. Currently we are full on both the Animal and Discovery and Learning department, however are still accepting ‘expression of interest’ forms, please keep up to date through our website. |
Contact [email protected] |
| DRAYTON MANOR |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| No |
All details regarding (work experience/volunteer) opportunities can be found on the relevant page of the Drayton Manor website |
[email protected] |
| DRUSILLAS PARK |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Drusillas volunteers primarily supervise its walk-through enclosures; Lemurland, Lory Landing and bats / sloths as well touch tables of animal artefacts. Minimum age 16, must be confident at speaking to the public. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please email for further information. |
Education Officer/Volunteer Coordinator, Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS Telephone 01323 874117 [email protected] https://www.drusillas.co.uk |
| DUBLIN ZOO |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Dublin Zoo’s vibrant and diverse volunteers are part of the Discovery & Learning team. The role of our volunteers is to promote conservation, provide informal education, engage with visitors and inspire minds. Volunteers use their knowledge and communication skills to spread our conservation message creating a special day and memories for visitors who will want to return. Our work is done through animal themed events, tours, touch tables, presenting animal artefacts and public engagement in our state of the art Discovery Centre. Applications are taken annually at year end for recruitment for the following March-August season. Minimum sign up is 6 months working at least one four hour shift per week. Note: Over 18’s only Dublin Zoo Volunteers are not involved in the direct care of animals or any hands on animal care work. |
For more information, visit the volunteering page here. If you require more information or have a query contact [email protected] -submissions are only taken through an online form available on the webpage when applications are open. |
| DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Durrell’s mission is to ‘Save Species from Extinction’, volunteers help enable us to do even more of this vital work Our volunteer opportunities are based at our Headquarters at Jersey Zoo. These opportunities are designed so that valuable volunteer hours are used effectively. Volunteer opportunities are defined as regular daily, weekly and monthly activities and also occasional events at weekends, evenings and holidays. Short term volunteering opportunities (less than three months) are based around our charity shop, gardeners and events. People from outside of Jersey: Jersey's customs and immigration state that volunteers need to be eligible to work in Jersey. Provided international volunteers have the correct paperwork we are happy to have them volunteering with us. If you are not from Jersey and unsure if you are eligible to volunteer, please check your individual circumstances by emailing [email protected] Potential volunteers should be able to attend an informal chat at the zoo before volunteering. Accommodation is unavailable for overseas volunteers. |
Contact [email protected] |
| FIVE SISTERS ZOO |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Five Sisters Zoo are currently looking to recruit new visitor engagement volunteers. If you are passionate about wildlife and you are an enthusiastic, outgoing people person then we would love to see you here at the zoo in one of our recruitment sessions (taking place on the 30th of March 2022). If you want to get involved then please send across your CV and a covering letter to [email protected] and indicate whether you would like to attend our afternoon recruitment session (1pm-3.30pm) or our evening session (6pm – 8.30pm). Please note – our visitor engagement volunteers play a critical role at the zoo by communicating with our visitors about a range of topics/ongoing zoo projects. This role does not involve any animal husbandry work. Please send your CV and covering letter by 5pm on the 19th of March 2022 if you want to attend a recruitment session. |
Contact volunteering@fivesisterszoo.co.uk |
| HOBBLEDOWN |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Currently at Hobbledown we have vacancies for ‘volunteer Animal Host’s’. Our current volunteer programme requires a minimum of one 4 hour shift a week for a minimum of 6 months and minimum 17 years old. The volunteers primary role is to supervise our walk-through enclosures; Lemurs, Lorikeets, Wallabies, Giant rabbits and Goats as well some husbandry with other animals around the park. Must be confident at speaking to the public and have a keen interest in learning about animals. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please email for further information. |
Contact – [email protected] |
| HOBBLEDOWN HEATH |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Our volunteer host’s typical day includes working in a variety of our 3 animal walkthroughs (lemurs, goats and alpacas, and our "Giants" walkthrough featuring tortoise, rabbit and mara) at our brand new facility, Hobbledown Heath, located in Hounslow, engaging with the public and ensuring our animals are safe and secure at all times. It also includes some husbandry work in the walkthroughs. Hosts are crucial for making sure our visitors have a fantastic, educational day out. |
Contact – [email protected] |
| THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR BIRDS OF PREY |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| No |
Our ever growing team of volunteers are involved with many aspects of the Centre and help with everything from basic husbandry tasks to hosting events. Please see our website for more information. 18+ only www.icbp.org/volunteer |
Contact details - Please register your interest through our website www.icbp.org/volunteer |
| LAKELAND WILDLIFE OASIS |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| No |
Currently not taking on any new volunteers for the forseeable future due to the Covid-19 pandemic. |
Contact Neil Cook, [email protected] |
| THE LIVING RAINFOREST |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Volunteers make a very real and positive difference to our charity and it is often with the hidden talents of our olunteers that we can make unexpected changes to surprise and delight our visitors. Animal Team - Work 7 days a week (minimum commitment would be 1 day/week). Plant Team - Work week days only (minimum commitment would be 1 day/week). Maintenance Team - Work week days only (minimum commitment would be 1 day/week). Education Team - Work week days only (minimum commitment would be 1/day week). Children's Craft Activities and Workshops or Rainforest interpreter's weekends/holidays (minimum commitment would be 1 day/month). Application Forms for volunteering with our Plant, Animal, Maintenance & Education teams are downloadable from the Volunteer page on our website. |
Contact Volunteer Co-ordinator - The Living Rainforest - [email protected] |
| LOTHERTON WILDLIFE WORLD |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
We are looking for Volunteers to assist the Animal Team, duties would include Animal care such as cleaning and diet prep, public interaction within the zoos walk through areas, gardening and landscape work throughout the zoos planted public areas. Volunteers must be 18+ |
Please contact Head Keeper, [email protected] |
| MARWELL WILDLIFE |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Marwell Wildlife is a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and other natural resources and we couldn’t carry out our work without the help of our fantastic volunteer programme! We have volunteers helping across different areas of the zoo, including Guest Services, Plants & Landscapes and Education. Our volunteer programme is open to everyone aged 18 and over. For more information on our volunteer programme and details on how to apply, please visit our website. |
Contact details: [email protected] |
| NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
At the National Marine Aquarium, we offer the opportunity to volunteer with our Ocean Discovery Ranger Team. This involves interacting, engaging, and inspiring our visitors about our animals and marine conservation. These interactions take many forms: informal chats, busking activities (using games and artefacts) and mini-talks. Volunteering is great for improving communication skills and gaining confidence. It gives volunteers invaluable experience in informal education and public communication. It is also great fun and an opportunity to be part of a team. Requirements: Must be at least 17 years old (if you are 17 then you will need a letter of consent from a parent or guardian). Volunteer minimum 2 days per month. Volunteer day is 10am – 4pm. Should have an interest in marine conservation, prior knowledge is not essential as training is provided. |
Please email a brief outline (no more than 200 words) of the skills and experience you have that would make you a strong candidate. If you would like, you can also include a CV. Email: [email protected] |
| NEWQUAY ZOO |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Volunteers |
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, our volunteering programme was suspended in March 2020 and we are now working to gradually welcome back our current volunteers to their volunteer roles when it is appropriate to do so. As a result, we do not have volunteer opportunities available for you to register your interest in (and do not have a timescale for when they will be re-advertised), although we greatly appreciate you thinking of supporting us in this way. Please keep an eye on our volunteer webpages as these will be updated once roles are available again. You need to be 18 or over and able to volunteer independently under the supervision of one of our departments on a regular duty day every week. There is no upper age limit. Our volunteer roles are for those who are able to support Newquay Zoo every week on a regular duty day, supporting our charitable organisation and staff or helping our visitors enjoy their day and providing excellent customer service whilst, amongst many other things, learning new skills, meeting new people and passing on their knowledge and experience. Due to the time and costs involved we are unable to support short-term volunteering. We are also unable to support employee supported volunteering (where you are given paid leave to volunteer). Volunteering is not the same as work experience and we cannot support your work experience through your volunteering with us - please see the separate BIAZA Work Experience page. |
Visit our volunteering pages. Once you have clicked on and read through the role descriptions at the bottom of our volunteer roles page, and are interested in volunteering on a regular day every week, please complete the interest form available on the website, listing up to a maximum of 3 roles and on which days you can offer your time as this helps with our shortlisting. Please only list roles on the interest form which are shown as having opportunities available on the volunteer roles page. We are unable to accept registrations of interest when we do not have volunteering opportunities available. You will only be contacted by us if shortlisted from your Interest Form to attend an Informal Discussion on volunteering with us. |
| NOAH'S ARK ZOO FARM |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| No |
Due to recent Government guidelines surrounding Covid 19, our volunteering programme is currently on hold. Please note, it may be some time before we are able to reopen our programme. Please keep an eye on our website and social media for any updates. |
Paula Takle (Education Coordinator) Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Clevedon Road, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG |
| NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTRY ZOO |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| No |
There are three different volunteering roles available at present, all of these are only suitable from 18+ and you must be able to access the site without relying on public transport. Minimum commitment of one day per week for 12 weeks (potential to extend). Zookeeper volunteer roles - Assist the keepers with daily duties, feeding and cleaning etc. Walk through roles - monitoring animals in the parrot and lemur walk-throughs and engaging with guests. Customer engagement - assisting visitors in the site and providing key information. |
Please contact: [email protected] |
| OLD MACDONALD'S FARM |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Volunteering and work experience options, 16+ on animal keeping and other livestock duties. |
Contact [email protected] |
| PARADISE WILDLIFE PARK/ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF HERTFORDSHIRE |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Volunteers must be over 18 (16 if enrolled on an animal-related course), able to commit to at least one weekend day a week and able to make their own way to the zoo (as there is no public transport to the site). We provide a full induction and training relevant to the role so can only consider long-term volunteers. We also offer volunteering with our Visitor Engagement Team, Catering Department, Conservation Shop and with Park Services. For more information on all available roles please see our website or email [email protected] |
Barbara Turner (Volunteer Coordinator), Zoological Society of Hertfordshire, Paradise Wildlife Park, White Stubbs Lane, EN10 7QA Email: [email protected] Phone: 01992 470 490 x256 |
| PAIGNTON ZOO |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Volunteers |
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, our volunteering programme was suspended in March 2020 and we are now working to gradually welcome back our current volunteers to their volunteer roles when it is appropriate to do so. As a result, we do not have volunteer opportunities available for you to register your interest in (and do not have a timescale for when they will be re-advertised), although we greatly appreciate you thinking of supporting us in this way. Please keep an eye on our volunteer webpages as these will be updated once roles are available again. You need to be 18 or over and able to volunteer independently under the supervision of one of our departments on a regular duty day every week. There is no upper age limit. Our volunteer roles are for those who are able to support Paignton Zoo every week on a regular duty day, supporting our charitable organisation and staff or helping our visitors enjoy their day and providing excellent customer service whilst, amongst many other things, learning new skills, meeting new people and passing on their knowledge and experience. Due to the time and costs involved we are unable to support short-term volunteering. We are also unable to support employee supported volunteering (where you are given paid leave to volunteer). Volunteering is not the same as work experience and we cannot support your work experience through your volunteering with us - please see the separate BIAZA Work Experience page. |
Visit our volunteering pages. Once you have clicked on and read through the role descriptions at the bottom of our volunteer roles page, and are interested in volunteering on a regular day every week, please complete the interest form available on the website, listing up to a maximum of 3 roles and on which days you can offer your time as this helps with our shortlisting. Please only list roles on the interest form which are shown as having opportunities available on the volunteer roles page. We are unable to accept registrations of interest when we do not have volunteering opportunities available. You will only be contacted by us if shortlisted from your Interest Form to attend an Informal Discussion on volunteering with us. |
| RZSS - EDINBURGH ZOO/HIGHLAND WILDLIFE PARK |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Volunteers accepted (aged 18 years +) – we do not offer work experience placements and volunteering does not involve any direct contact with our animals. A variety of volunteer roles are available including public engagement, office based and practical roles. Please see our website for more information. |
Lexi Hemming Volunteer Co-ordinator RZSS – Edinburgh Zoo 134 Corstorphine Road Edinburgh EH12 6TS [email protected] |
| SHALDON WILDLIFE TRUST |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Shaldon Wildlife Trust accepts volunteering applications all year round for animal care, front of house, and gardening sections (17+). The majority of our animal care volunteers commit to at least 1 full day per week (9am-3/4pm, hour break for lunch) and are fully trained to undertake husbandry duties with our rare and endangered species, such as cleaning and feeding. Volunteers are also able to provide excellent customer service and may be trained to undertake public engagement experiences and keeper talks. Front of house volunteers undertake either morning or afternoon slots, take admissions, deal with shop stock/memberships/adoptions and ensure everybody has a pleasant visit whilst learning about the important conservation work that Shaldon undertakes. We also run a Voluntary Student Work Experience Programme, which is a 9-12 month intensive keeper training placement, in which we have nearly 100% employment rate following their placements - this will be advertised through the BIAZA careers page when taking applications. |
Contact: [email protected] / 01626872234 |
| ST ANDREWS AQUARIUM |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
St Andrews Aquarium is accepting volunteer applications assisting our Animal Keepers/Aquarists to take care of our animals. You will need to be 18+ years of age as we require you to be able to volunteer unsupervised. There is no upper age limit. You will need to be able to volunteer your time at least 1 day per week 9am-6pm. We ask that all those interested in volunteering to contact [email protected] for more details. |
Contact: [email protected] |
| Tropical World |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Tropical World offers voluntary and work experience placements, these can range from one day a week commitments to block working weeks. We ask that our volunteers be 18 or older, and are studying a related animal qualification. Volunteers will receive and induction and full training after successful completion of a trial day. On a typical day you can expect diet preparation, enclosure cleaning, maintenance, gardening, theming, water system maintenance, enrichment, visitor engagement and animal training. The collection is primarily a Tropical House so candidates must be okay with heat expose, physical labour and manual handling, species houses in the collection consist of Primates (Callitrichids), Mammals (Porcupines & Meerkats), Reptiles (Lizards, Snakes & Tortoises), Amphibians (Frogs), Fish (Marine & Fresh Water) and Inverts (Stick Insects, Beetles, Scorpion & Tarantulas). |
Contact: [email protected] |
| WELSH MOUNTAIN ZOO |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
There are opportunities to become a volunteer in the Education Department, Gardening Department and Animal Department. Volunteers must be over 16 years old and have completed their GCSE year at school. The minimum commitment for becoming a volunteer with the Animal Department is one full day (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) once a week for at least a year. Volunteering with the Education Department or Gardening Department is more flexible. Volunteers with the Education Department who help with the children's programme will be required to provide a DBS certificate. |
For an application form, please email our Education Manager - [email protected] |
| WILDWOOD TRUST |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Our volunteer roles are for those interested and available to support Wildwood on a weekly basis. For information on Work Experience Placements Please see the separate Work Experience information on the BIAZA website. Volunteers must be 18+ years of age. Volunteers can help out in the following areas: Animal Keepers, Conservation, Education, Rangers, Beekeeping (seasonal). Please visit our website for more information. |
Volunteer Manager – Laura Metcalfe [email protected] 01227 209 616 Wildwood Trust Herne Common Kent CT6 7LQ 01227 209 616 |
| WOODSIDE WILDLIFE PARK |
| Role |
Information |
Contact Details |
| Yes |
Currently at Woodside Wildlife Park we offer a volunteer scheme and also and internship scheme. Our current volunteer programme requires a minimum of one full day a month’s attendance throughout the year. Minimum age 16 years old. We offer unpaid internships for a minimum placements of three months. |
Volunteering/Internship contact – Kayleigh Millar Please email – [email protected] Address – Woodside Wildlife Park Newball, Lincoln, LN3 5DQ |
