Work experience at ZSL London Zoo

We allocate 15 places each year to pupils in year 10 and 11 at school, and 15 places to students in further education. Trainees shadow qualified and experienced keepers in some of our animal sections, and learn skills in basic animal husbandry. The trainee will undertake the following key tasks.

• Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures.
• Food preparation for the animals.
• Some feeding of the animals.

The work is physically demanding, so trainees will need to be fit and healthy. Competition for places is high, therefore we also apply the following selection criteria when short-listing applicants.

• Priority is given to applicants who reside within London boroughs.
• Candidates must be available for a minimum period of 2 weeks.
• Individuals should be seriously considering a career in the field of Zoology, zoo keeping or animal husbandry.

Pupils in Years 10 and 11
Pupils must be able to offer two consecutive weeks and be resident in the London Boroughs.

Post-16 Students
Placements are offered to those engaged in biological or animal-related courses, or enrolled on such a course.

Applications

The deadline for applications for all places in 2009 is the 19th December 2008. Any application received after the deadline will not be considered.

We will re-open in September 2009 to applications for places in 2010.

Due to a high number of applications, we recommend that you also apply to other organisations.

Applications for ZSL Whipsnade Zoo must be sent directly to Whipsnade and students must be over 16 years of age.