Aspiring young zoo keepers have the chance to go behind-the-scenes at ZSL London Zoo. Kids can get close to some of their favourite zoo animals and find out what’s it like to take care of them during the Junior Keeper for a Day experience. We sent 12-year-old Téo Grimshaw to report on his day as a zoo keeper:
“We were given numerous jobs during the day which included feeding, grooming and cleaning the animal enclosures. We started at the Rainforest Life zone and fed lion-headed tamarins, titi monkeys, emperor monkeys, anteaters and sloths with apples, grapes and meal worms.
“The next job was scooping up llama, alpaca and donkey dung. We really enjoyed petting them when cleaning was competed.
“One of my favourite tasks was feeding the cute meerkats. They nervously came out of their habitats under the ground, as they were frightened of a blue kite which they mistook for a bird of prey.
“The coatis were unusual animals – we had to make a game of hiding their food for them around their enclosure. They were running around our feet looking for the food.
“The most favourite task for me was feeding three enormous giraffes with carrots. They used their long blue tongues to wrap around the carrot sticks and eat them.
“The whole experience lasted just over 3 hours. At the end we were given a goody bag which contained a cap, t-shirt and fabric bag all with Zoo Keeper for a Day logo and certificate. It was a great day and everyone really enjoyed themselves.”
Junior Keeper for a Day is available for 11-15 year olds and costs £170 per person, including zoo entry for the participant and one accompanying adult. The experience lasts from 9:15am to 1pm and includes morning refreshments. Find out more
Too old? There’s a Keeper for a Day experience for adults too, or spend a night at the zoo in a luxury tent.