What made you want to become a zookeeper?

What made you want to become a zookeeper?

Daniel Simmonds (Zookeeper) gives expert video advice on: What did you have to do to become a zookeeper?; Is it a well paid job?; Do you become very attached to the animals you work with? and more...

Actually I've got a very different background to zoo-keeping. I have a financial and commercial background working in the city of London. I did that for years and years, but always had a real burning passion to work with animals and work in conservation. By coming here to ZSL London Zoo as a zoo keeper it sort of gave me the best of both worlds because I get to be with the animals every day and also part of one of the world's largest conservation charities. So I came here a few years ago now to be a zoo keeper with limited experience, but ZSL London Zoo gave me the opportunity to learn so much whilst I was doing the job. I'm studying at the moment for extra qualifications and so far it's been going really well and I really love it.