Zookeeper for a day

Stroke the giraffe, wash the elephant, shake hands with the lemurs or feed the carnivores. Becoming one of the staff for a day will be a real eye-opener and bring you a great insight into the workings of the zoo. Seeing and experiencing the lives of our wild animals from up close is something you will never forget. Being a zookeeper may have been a childhood dream for a friend or relative - now make their dreams come true.

You may like to know that dozens of women received original experience programmes last year as gifts, and eleven out of ten of them went away with a smile on their face.

Becoming a zookeeper

This unique experience is suitable only for individuals with a reasonable level of fitness above the age of 18.
Be sure to bring your gift certificate along with you, as well as work or sports footwear and a camera. Also, a towel and swimming costume are essential for when working in Water World.

Choosing an animal to care for

The wild birds in Bird World
The reticulated giraffes in the Giraffe House
The salt-water fish and reptiles in Water World
The carnivores and the lemurs in the Carnivore House

Times when you may become a zookeeper

All the year round on Tuesdays and Thursdays except bank holidays.
Experience programmes start at 7 a.m. and end no later than at 2 p.m.

One tip: If you are not an early bird, then why not stay at the Safari Hotel - external link within the zoo itself?

The experience

We start at 7 a.m. Work clothes are lent to you, excluding footwear, and you will be comprehensively briefed on the day ahead. You are then assigned to a zookeeper - your guide for the day ahead. There is no need to fear about how to care for any animals as that will be shown to you.
In the morning, you will act as a zookeeper - preparing food and cleaning facilities. Maybe you will be lucky enough to see an animal receive some medical treatment, some young being cared for and other key events. Each day at the zoo is different. Lunch is provided at the Lemur Restaurant.
In the afternoon, there is a behind-the-scenes tour of another facility, enabling you to meet some different animals eye-to-eye. Finally, you will be presented with a DVD on the zoo and a certificate marking the day.

During your day as a zookeeper, you cannot be accompanied by another person. Friends can come along to cheer you on, but only from a distance as ordinary visitors to the zoo.

Booking

Buy your experience via zoo’s online store. Nothing can be easier. The gift certificate will be sent to your address. As there is no name on the certificate, feel free to use it for yourself or give to someone else.

You will be able to choose your date once your receive the certificate. Feel safe when thinking about the date. The certificate stays valid 10 months.

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