Work Experience
Work Experience
Our work experience placements are designed to offer experience of working as a zoo keeper in Europe's leading animal experiences zoo. Applicants are accepted from the age of 16 with the exception of applying through a school where applicants must be at least 14 years of age.
Before Applying
Our zoo is a very popular choice for work experience and unfortunately we do have to turn a lot of applicants down. The work is very physical and we expect students to be able to work independently. We can only offer a zoo placement after a successful interview. Please understand that not all candidates are suitable.
Please read this document
To Apply for a Placement
To apply for a placement at Hertfordshire’s best zoo then please apply us with the following information:
- Dates of placement you are applying for
- Your age at the time of the placement
- Where you study
- What course you study
- At what level you study (GCSE, A Levels, Level 1, 2 or 3, University etc.)
- Why you have chosen Paradise for your placement
- What you aim to get from the placement
Duties
- General animal husbandry: Cleaning animal enclosures (with and without animals in them), giving fresh water, changing beds, disinfecting enclosures and objects in them, preparing feeds and sometimes assisting with feeding and enrichment, helping with fruit and vegetable deliveries.
- General maintenance of enclosures: Weeding, washing windows and railings, raking etc.
- General site maintenance: Litter picking, sweeping paths, painting, emptying and washing bins and cleaning and tidying staff areas (feed room, hay and straw barn etc.)
- You may sometimes be asked to help with manning walk-through exhibits, keeper talks and shows.
Bear in mind!
It’s important to bear in mind that although you’ll be gaining vital experience and skills as a zookeeper for the day, about 80% of the day is spent cleaning and often not around animals! Please also note that our zoo volunteers do not directly help on our Large Carnivore, Primate or Reptile sections.
If you are interested you will need to attend an interview, we have 15 minute slots between 3-4pm available on a few weekdays each week. Please suggest several suitable dates and times you would be able to attend. After the interview you may be invited for a trial day, only after a successful trial day will we be able to welcome you to our team of volunteers at Paradise Wildlife Park.
We aim to support local schools and colleges and welcome applications from them which will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Places at Paradise are extremely popular and students are advised to approach their teachers promptly to secure a place.We welcome students with an interest in the natural world to spend their work experience at Paradise Wildlife Park.
Research at Paradise Wildlife Park
Paradise Wildlife Park is dedicated to encouraging research that contributes to the body of scientific knowledge about zoos and their inhabitants. We welcome many external researchers, including students, who wish to conduct research projects at PWP. All researchers must fill out the appropriate application documents and have their proposal accepted before any data collection can take place.
If you are interested in carrying out research at Paradise Wildlife or would like to see our Priority Research List please contact our Research Officer at:
