Animal Keeper – Gorilla Section

Salary: Commensurate with Experience, Plus Desirable Benefits]

(Full-time, Permanent Position)

Plus, a living-out allowance in addition to salary (£2,600 PA) or possibly, on-site accommodation.

Are you wild about creating memorable experiences?

Do you want to work in a place where you can hear calls from troops of Howler Monkeys, or the roars from a pride of Lions?

Howletts Wild Animal Park Howletts Wild Animal Park, situated near Canterbury in Kent, is home to the largest captive breeding group of Western Lowland Gorillas in the world with over 150 births to date.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team of gorilla keepers. The successful candidate will provide daily husbandry for the Gorillas, as well as feed preparation and presentation. Administering necessary medication under supervision will also be required, as well as daily routine observations, monitoring behaviour and health.

Who we are looking for:

You will have great communication and observation skills, alongside the ability to work independently and as part of a team. You will have previous animal related work experience, whilst being able to demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for gorilla conservation, management, and a passion for animal welfare. You will ideally have a recognised zoo animal management qualification, or the willingness to work towards one.

It is essential that applicants are physically fit and able to undertake cleaning duties, indoors and out, in all weather conditions. A full valid UK driving licence is essential for this position.

It is desirable for the successful candidate to have previous experience gained in a mainstream zoological collection, ideally with great apes. We provide extensive staff training and will offer the opportunity to develop your professional skills and abilities. Experience driving a trailer, tractor, or dumper is also desirable.

Key duties:

To develop skills and contribute towards the following:

• Daily husbandry of the gorillas.
• Feed preparation and presentation.
• Preparation and administering necessary medication under supervision if instructed to do so.
• Daily routine observations, monitoring behaviour and health.
• Provision of environmental enrichment.
• General maintenance including enclosures, vehicles and equipment.
• Monitoring, ordering and stock rotation of animal feeds and other supplies.
• Daily record keeping including section diary, weekly reports, weights, oestrus cycles etc.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness throughout the section.
• Engaging with visitors in a professional and polite manner.
• Supervising gorilla encounters including VIP visits, media etc. Contract details:

Contract details:

This is a permanent position, with an anticipated start date of 23 April 2024. Working hours are 40hours per week, generally 8am to 5pm, 5 days a week including weekends and bank holidays. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

The location:

Howletts Wild Animal Park is located near Canterbury and set within 90 acres of land to explore.

Howletts is home to over 300 rare and endangered species, including Kents only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, and more gorillas, leopards and monkeys than any zoo in the county! Most importantly, every one of our employees is part of real conservation in action and their efforts have contributed to animals such as black rhino and western lowland gorillas being returned to their natural habitats in collaboration with our partners at The Aspinall Foundation.

Why you should join us:

We’re on a mission to create memorable experiences that matter, and our Core Values ‘One Team’, Customer’ and ‘Pride’ are what drive us each day to become part of something extraordinary. As well as walking to work surrounded by the calls of Howler monkeys and the roars from our pride of Lions, you will join a supportive team who are passionate about their place of work. Be part of the Port Lympne and Howletts family and join our pride.

You can also expect a host of other roarsome benefits including:

• Living out allowance in addition to salary.
• 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, rising with length of service.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including workshops and e-learning.
• Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity Policies.
• Unlimited free entry for you and a person of your choice into both of our parks as well as friends and family tickets.
• Exceptional discounts on food, retail and accommodation at our parks.
• Numerous retail discounts and access to a 24-hour counselling line through our Healthy

Extras Scheme.

• A great working environment with lots of social activities
• Company Pension
• And many more length or service-related rewards and Benefits.

Closing Date: Monday 8 April 2024

To apply: Please email a CV along with a covering letter to

recruitment@howlettsandportlympne.com