Serious Career Advice for Aspiring Zookeepers

Participants will gain an understanding of the different roles at the zoo and try some hands-on activities to find out if this career is for them. This is a full day of fact finding led by zoo experts. Spaces are limited and this jam-packed day has lots of information through classroom-based activities and opportunities to meet some of our Zookeepers out in the Zoo.

What’s included

  • Full day 9:00am-4:00pm
  • Classroom based learning
  • Notebook and pen
  • Access to digital learning resources

Pacticalities:

Date: TBC Spring 2026

Who: Young people aged between 14-17 years old

For young people already 17 years old, we will be holding a Youth Career Day for 17 year olds only in early 2025. Please check back for more details.

Cost: TBC

What’s included: A full day of class-room based learning lead by zoo experts. A notebook and pen will be provided and participants will receive digital resources after the event, recapping key points discussed during the day. Please be aware, lunch is not provided, please bring a packed lunch.

How to Book: details for how to book will be on this website when the next date is confirmed.

What’s It About?

Join zoo staff for a unique and educational day at the zoo to learn all about being a zoo keeper. Participants will gain an understanding of the different roles at the zoo as well as the sorts of experience and skills needed for these jobs. The day will also include the unseen side of zoo jobs, including things like why chainsaw licencing might be relevant, or how everyone can benefit from public speaking skills!

Please be aware, you won’t be mucking out any animal enclosures, and no live animals are involved. Instead, there will be a series of guest speakers, opportunities to meet some of the Zookeepers out around the Zoo and tabletop activities to provide participants with a greater understanding of the job roles as well as useful hints and tips to help plan your future career.

Topics covered will be diverse, and include things such as: animal enrichment, animal training and CV critique and writting skills.

The day will be led by team members of the zoo Education Department. These staff hold relevant zoo keeping experience, expertise, and qualifications as well as being enhanced DBS Checked. Colchester Zoo has fully trained First Aiders on site, in immediate contact.

If you have any specific Health and Safety concerns (including mental health), regarding the young person interested in booking, please contact our education department directly at 01206 332511 or 01206 332512 or education@colchesterzoo.org to discuss if this day could suit their needs.