Recently I was lucky enough to interview one of the Senior Carnivore Keepers at Dudley Zoo, Josh Luxton. We’re lucky at the zoo to have such an amazing group of Zookeepers who are so down to earth and happy to help. So whether you’re just curious to know about the life of a Zookeeper or you’re looking at becoming one yourself, please enjoy the interview below;
Q: Why did you want to become a zookeeper?
A: Ever since I can remember I’ve always been around animals. I don’t ever remember a time without some kind of pet in the house. Having spent so much time growing up with animals and always having such an interest in them it just seemed natural to turn it into a career.
Q: What’s been your favourite animal species to work with and why?
A: That’s a tough question! I love different species for different reasons. I always wanted to work with carnivores but I love Tapirs because they’re such an underrated species. People don’t really know what they are but when you take a meet and greet experience to see them they come out with a complete new perspective of them which is what it’s all about, educating public to care for all species not just the typical big status animals.
Q: What’s the most disgusting thing about being a zookeeper?
A: Meat preparation for the carnivores can be a pretty grim experience. You’ll be faced with around 30kg of raw meat to be chopped and prepped for the animal feeds.
Q: What smell will you never get used to?
A: To be honest I think you get use to them all.
Q: What’s been your favourite experience as a keeper?
A: My favourite experience as a keeper has to be my first baby Tapir. It was an incredible experience to be able to work with mom and baby so closely. From feeling baby kicks inside mom to having the little one running around I felt very lucky to be apart of it.
Q: Tell us about the what’s most stressful as a keeper?
A: I think if an animals ever unwell you can’t help but stress and worry about them. You always want to do right by your animals and make sure they’re living happy comfortable lives.
Q: What are your day to day responsibilities?
A: Well no two days are the same and the animals make sure of that! As a standard basic I’ll clock in, go and check the animals I’m working with that day, do any paddock work that needs doing, put enrichment out into the paddock for the animals before letting them out. Once they’re safely out in the paddock I’ll carry out my cleaning tasks. Once all the cleaning is done I’ll carry out any meet and greet experiences we have booked in. Then I can make enrichment for the next day, do any extra jobs that might need doing including carrying out food prep. The last thing of the day is to feed and get the animals in for the night.
Q: What kind of schooling/training did you do before getting this job?
A: There’s loads of ways to get into zoo keeping; college, university or apprenticeship. I spent 5 years at college doing various courses in animal care while volunteering at a local farm. I also completed the Diploma in Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) which is a zoo industry recognised qualification.
Q: What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
A: I’ve had loads of career highlights. Getting to work with species that I’ve always wanted to work with such as Tapirs, Giraffes, Big Cats and Sea Lions.
Q: Are there any animal species you haven’t worked with that you’d love to?
A: Yeah there’s loads I haven’t worked with that I’d love to work with such as cetaceans (whales and dolphins), Elephants, Rhino, Okapi and Walrus.
Q: Which animal has been the most intelligent that you’ve worked with?
A: I’d say our male Sea Lion Oba is definitely the most intelligent animal that I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
Q: Which animal individual at Dudley Zoo is your favourite and why?
A: I couldn’t choose just one! Meena our Brazilian Tapir – so laid back, does what she wants to do and not a care in the world. Josie our Giraffe – hates everyone when you first start working with her. You’ve got to build a good trust relationship with her for her to accept you. Oba our Sea Lion – such a good boy wants to please every time in a training session and always tries his best. Tanya our Sea Lion – loves attention will come and be in the way when I’m cleaning or trying to do any work in the enclosure.
Q: What’s your least favourite part about being a zookeeper?
A: Least favourite part has to be when you lose an animal. No matter how long you’re a keeper for it never gets easier.
Q: What animal is the best at training?
A: Every animal has their own strengths so it would be hard to say. Each animal learns at a different pace. What takes one individual a week to learn a behaviour might take another 4 weeks but that doesn’t make them worse than each other as long as you get the same end result.
Q: What advice would you give someone wanting/trying to work in this field?
A: The best advice I could give someone would be work hard in school, get a good animal related qualification and try to get some hands on volunteering experience anywhere such as a farm, animal sanctuary, dog kennels or cattery. It will all be beneficial!
Big shout out to Josh for giving such an honest and detailed interview! Thank you so much!
