Jobs With Animals logo

CAREER GUIDE

Zoos & Wildlife parks

Careers in captive animal care and conservation, from zookeeping and aquarist roles to zoo education and veterinary nursing.

Why should I consider a career in zoos, wildlife parks & aquariums?

Working in a zoo, wildlife park, or aquarium is about so much more than feeding animals and talking to visitors, though those things are genuinely brilliant parts of the job.

Modern zoos and aquariums are at the forefront of wildlife conservation, scientific research, and environmental education, making this one of the most purposeful sectors you can build a career in.

If you are passionate about animals, fascinated by wildlife, and want to contribute to something that matters beyond the working day, this sector offers a rare combination of hands-on animal care, conservation impact, and public engagement. It is also one of the most competitive sectors to enter, which means the people who work in it tend to be genuinely dedicated and inspiring to be around.

 

What kinds of jobs are available in zoos, wildlife parks & aquariums?

The range of roles is far broader than most people expect.

The most well-known is the zookeeper or aquarist, responsible for the daily care, feeding, health monitoring, and enrichment of animals in their collection. Keepers typically specialise in a particular section: primates, big cats, birds, reptiles, marine mammals, or fish.

Beyond keeping, there are roles in veterinary care, conservation science, research, education, behaviour and training, and collection planning.

Wildlife parks and safari parks also need ranger staff and driving tour guides with strong animal knowledge.

Aquariums employ marine biologists, dive teams, and water quality technicians alongside their aquarist staff. 

Do I need qualifications to work in zoos, wildlife parks & aquariums?This is one of the most qualification and experience-focused sectors in animal care, and competition for roles, particularly keeper positions, is high.

Volunteering or work experience at a zoo, wildlife park, or aquarium is widely considered essential before applying for paid roles, and many organisations recruit directly from their volunteer and seasonal staff pools.

For qualifications, a degree in Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Marine Biology, or Wildlife Conservation is a common route into keeping and science roles. However, practical experience is often weighted as highly as academic achievement.

Once in a paid role, many employers offer the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA), a two-year distance learning qualification run by BIAZA in partnership with Sparsholt College, covering husbandry, nutrition, conservation, and legislation.

For aquarium roles specifically, a PADI or BSAC diving qualification can be a significant advantage. Entry-level roles in education, visitor experience, and retail are more accessible and can be a great way to get a foot in the door.
Job security & demand: is this a stable career?The zoo and aquarium sector in the UK is large, well-established, and growing. BIAZA member organisations welcomed 31.6 million visits in 2025, making zoos and aquariums among the most visited attractions in the country.

The sector is also increasingly important as a centre of conservation, with BIAZA members spending millions on active conservation and research projects worldwide. This breadth of activity means consistent demand for skilled staff across a wide range of roles.

The sector did face real challenges during the pandemic when visitor income collapsed, but its recovery has been strong. The shift towards zoos as conservation and education centres rather than purely visitor attractions also means the range of career pathways is expanding, with growing demand for conservation scientists, education specialists, and behaviour experts alongside traditional keeping roles.

31.6 million

Visits to BIAZA member zoos and aquariums in 2025, making them among the UK's most visited attractions

£33 million

Contributed to conservation projects by BIAZA member zoos and aquariums in 2025.

1000+

Active conservation projects currently supported by UK and Irish zoos and aquariums

Source: BIAZA, 2025

Source: BIAZA, 2025

Source: BIAZA, 2025

31.6 million

Visits to BIAZA member zoos and aquariums in 2025, making them among the UK's most visited attractions

Source: BIAZA, 2025

£153 million

Contributed to conservation projects by BIAZA member zoos and aquariums over the last five years

Source: BIAZA, 2025

1000+

Active conservation projects currently supported by UK and Irish zoos and aquariums

Source: BIAZA, 2025

The good bits

  • Working with extraordinary animals. From gorillas to great white sharks, the animals you work with in this sector are like nothing else, and building a relationship with them over time is incredibly rewarding
  • You are part of something bigger. Conservation breeding programmes, field research, and education work mean your daily job connects to global efforts to protect species from extinction
  • Every day is different. Animal behaviour, seasonal changes, new arrivals, and visitor interactions ensure no two shifts are ever quite the same
  • A passionate community. People who work in zoos tend to be deeply committed to what they do, which creates brilliant team cultures and a strong professional network across the sector
  • Career variety. The breadth of roles across keeping, science, education, and operations means there are genuine pathways for people with different skills and interests
  • Public engagement is genuinely fun. Talking to visitors about the animals in your care, especially children experiencing them for the first time, is one of the highlights the role that keepers consistently mention

The not-so-good bits

  • It is highly competitive. Keeper roles in particular attract a lot of applicants, and getting your first paid position can take time, persistence, and a significant investment in volunteering
  • Pay can be modest, particularly at entry level, and does not always reflect the level of skill, knowledge, and responsibility involved
  • Physically demanding. Keeper work involves early starts, heavy lifting, outdoor work in all weathers, and a lot of time on your feet
  • Emotional challenges. Animals in your care will become ill, age, and die, and involvement in end of life care is part of the role
  • Shift work is the norm. Zoos operate seven days a week including bank holidays, so rotas rarely follow a standard Monday to Friday pattern
  • Getting that first role is the hardest part. The pathway into paid zoo work almost always involves a period of unpaid volunteering, which is not accessible for everyone

Watch & Listen

  • The Secret Life of the Zoo (Channel 4/All 4) - follows the animals and keepers at Chester Zoo, capturing the conservation work and daily realities of zoo life
  • Our Planet (Netflix) - essential viewing for anyone passionate about wildlife and conservation
  • Zoology Ramblings Podcast (Spotify/Apple Podcasts) - two UK conservation biologists and wildlife filmmakers discuss zoology, conservation, biodiversity and rewilding

Read

  • Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin - a fascinating exploration of animal behaviour and cognition that is highly relevant to keeper work
  • Zoo Animal Learning and Training by Vicki Melfi - Comprehensively explains animal learning theories and current best practices in animal training within zoos
  • The BIAZA blog for real stories from people working across the UK zoo and aquarium sector

Explore

  • Zoo Keepers Europe - facebook page for zoo keepers, students, volunteers and researchers working in zoos who wish to share information, ideas and network
  • Zoo Licensing Act - guidelines on the provisions that all UK zoos must adhere t in order to operate.
  • EAZA - the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, for those interested in the broader European context

Where can I find zoos, wildlife parks & aquarium jobs?

You're already in the right place! Browse our Zoos, Wildlife Parks & Aquarium jobs to see the latest roles from across the UK.

If you are passionate about wildlife, committed to conservation, and prepared to work hard for the opportunity to work with some of the most remarkable animals on the planet, this sector will reward you in ways that few careers can match. Competition is real, but so is the sense of purpose. Take a look at our current listings and see what is out there.

We also recommend checking:

Seasonal and voluntary roles are also worth pursuing actively: they are the most common route into paid employment in this sector and are worth treating as seriously as a job application.

Copyright ©Jobs With Animals 

Terms and Conditions | Refund Policy | Privacy Policy