Keeper Educational Exchange Programme - KEEP

01/01/2026

Happy 2026!🥳 - 🎉EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT TIME! 🎉

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of KEEP going live & we are delighted to announce the launch of our new programme KEEP Conservation!

KEEP Conservation is a new project that aims to connect experienced and skilled keepers with vital in-conservation efforts to exchange vital skills to support both in-situ and ex-situ conservation projects.

KEEP Conservation is aimed at zookeepers/aquarists with a minimum of 5 years paid experience in order for both parties to benefit from years of hard earned experience and make a tangible conservation difference! We have already sent keepers to Costa Rica to help with sloth rehabilitation so who knows what species and opportunities might pop up next! 👀

KEEP your eyes peeled as we have some very exciting opportunities coming soon...!

💰🎉GIVE AWAY TIME!! 🎉💰

To mark the launch of this exciting new chapter for KEEP we are excited to also announce a KEEP Conservation giveaway! We are offering up to £150 to be spent on conservation equipment, whether that's for native species work at your zoo, the local area or to a conservation project you think would really benefit!

Whether it is camera traps to monitor what animals are living wild on your zoo grounds, nest boxes for some native birds and bats or money towards a small but vital exotic project - get applying!

Apply with your ideas to [email protected] - where you'll receive a small application form from us to prove why it should be you who gets the funding!

Deadline for this is Monday 9th February 2026 so get thinking!

https://www.keeperexchange.org/

27/12/2025

🥳 INTERNATIONAL KEEP PLACEMENT SUCCESS!🥳🇺🇸🌎🇬🇧

Kasha from West Midlands Safari Park took part in an exchange with the mammal team at San Diego Zoo where she got chance to work with a wide range of mammal species!
Kasha said;
“My time at San Diego Zoo was amazing. Thank you for arranging the opportunity. It was so interesting to share what we all do and network. The team were all lovely and welcoming. I wouldn't hesitate to encourage members of my team to apply for KEEP placements. I'm keen to welcome keepers from San Diego back here too!"

We want to say a huge thank you to the mammal department at San Diego Zoo for being such welcoming hosts for our first intercontinental placement and to Kasha for taking part and getting stuck in! 🤩

Don't forget, if you're currently a Zookeeper with over a year's paid experience, you're eligible for the programme! To register now, head to www.keeperexchange.org - you never know where you may end up!

26/12/2025

🥳 KEEP PLACEMENT SUCCESS!🥳

Finn from Tilgate Nature Centre took part in an exchange with the reptile team at Colchester Zoo where he got chance to work with a wide range of reptile species from komodo dragons to tortoises!

Finn said;
“I’d like to say a big thank you to the Colchester reptile team, I learnt a lot and have a lot of ideas to take back to my collection”

We want to say a huge thank you to the reptile team at Colchester Zoo for being brilliant hosts, and to Finn for taking part and getting stuck in! 🤩

If reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates are your thing, then please KEEP following us for some exciting opportunities lined up in 2026 👀

Don't forget, if you're currently a Zookeeper with over a year's paid experience, you're eligible for the programme! To register now, head to www.keeperexchange.org - you never know where you may end up!

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas you filthy animal...keepers!! 🎅🎊🎄
A big festive shout out from the KEEP team to our friends, colleagues and beasties - we hope you all have an amazing Christmas and holiday season!
Enjoy your day whether you're at home with your feet up or dishing out Christmas meals to some very unusual Christmas guests!
Special shout out to all our colleagues working and making sure our amazing animal colleagues get a great Christmas too - cheers!
🎅🦜🦧🦏🦒🐍🐢🦇🐸🦭🐠🦚🐘🦘🦋🫏🦉🦆🦇🎅

18/12/2025

Merry Christmas you filthy animal...keepers!! 🎅🎊🎄

A big festive shout out from the KEEP team to our friends, colleagues and beasties - we hope you all have an amazing Christmas and holiday season!

KEEP would be nothing without the support of zoos and the keepers that work there. So to say thank you for all your hard work this year, Santa will be surprising some KEEP members - both institutions and keepers - with some goodies!

We unfortunately can't thank everyone individually so it's down to the luck of the draw for verified keepers and collections who've taken part in KEEP this year whether hosting or attending a placement!

In the meantime KEEP your eyes peeled!

16/12/2025

🥳 KEEP PLACEMENT SUCCESS!🥳

Sioned from Peak Wildlife Park took part in an exchange with the rhino team at Chester Zoo where she got chance to work with a wide range of ungulate species as well as getting to spend some time with their giraffe team!

"It was such a pleasure to have been accepted on the keep placement with the Rhino team at Chester, a childhood dream to see behind the scenes. The team were so lovely and accommodating and so open to share knowledge and answer questions. I got to help with all aspects of care, training , food prep ,cleans and learning about species specific behaviour. Hoof care is a well known passion of mine as a professionally trained trimmer and I even got the chance to hop on to the giraffe team and help asses okapi hooves and observe a training session for hoof care with giraffe. So very grateful that laura from the rhino team very kindly facilitated this knowing my background, what an absolute treat. I really learnt a lot and forever grateful to the team for the opportunity and them taking the time and effort to look after me
Couldn’t recommend the K.E.E.P program enough a really important resource for keepers of all experience levels."

We want to say a huge thank you to the rhino and giraffe teams at Chester Zoo for being brilliant hosts, and to Sioned for taking part and getting stuck in! 🤩
Don't forget, if you're currently a Zookeeper with over a year's paid experience, you're eligible for the programme! To register now, head to www.keeperexchange.org - you never know where you may end up!

14/12/2025

KEEP team member James is linking up with EAZA on 7th January 2026 for an EAZA Animal Welfare Webinar; "Keeper exchanges for good animal and keeper welfare".

This webinar will be chance to hear first hand what KEEP is all about! For those of you keen to learn more about KEEP whether you want to sign up as a keeper or get your institution onboard and learn what is actually involved and we actually do! Plus some of the exciting plans we have in the pipeline too!

"By facilitating short-term educational placements at other zoos/aquariums and the sharing of best practice, KEEP aims to promote the best possible standards of animal welfare across zoological institutions. The webinar will explore how professional development benefits both zookeeper and animal welfare."

➡️ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://loom.ly/S-lr44Y
Join us 🗓️ on 7 January, from 1 to 2 pm (CET)/12-1pm UK time

12/12/2025

We're delighted to be partnering with our friends at the Small Zoo Network! We're passionate about keeper development and animal welfare across all zoos! We can't wait to share some of the exciting collaboration opportunities we have lined up! 🐒

🥳 The SZN has signed it's first MoU with our friends at Keeper Educational Exchange Programme - KEEP , forming our first official partnership!

Our organistions share a strong commitment to both animal welfare and the professional development of animal keepers, and we’re looking forward to collaborating on new opportunities that support keepers working in small zoos.

More information will be coming soon, stay tuned! 💪

05/12/2025

🎉NEW PLACEMENT ALERT🎉

West Midlands Safari Park are offering a brilliant opportunity to work with their fantastic carnivore team!
They are offering an amazing 5-day placement with chance to work with their collection of large felids and canids!
You'll get chance to partake in a range of husbandry activities from enclosure cleaning to enrichment design and implementation!

This placement is suited to someone who is passionate about carnivores and looking to gain experience with different species than they are used to and/or working in a safari park setting.

To get the chance to work with these amazing carnivores whilst working with their dedicated and experienced keepers, register with us and get your application in - please remember to attach your cv and a covering letter to explain why you want to take part!
* Minimum experience requirement is 1 year of full time animal keeping experience in the UK and Ireland.
🐅🦁🐅
Deadline for application is 16/01/2026
Placement dates: 9th-13th March 2026

https://www.keeperexchange.org/vacancy/carnivore-keeper-3/

04/12/2025

🎉NEW PLACEMENT ALERT🎉

West Midlands Safari Park are offering a brilliant opportunity to work with their amazing ungulate team! They are offering an amazing 5-day placement with chance to work with an incredible 28 different species of large ungulate!!
You'll get chance to partake in a range of husbandry activities from enclosure cleaning to browse sourcing and provisioning!

This placement is suited to someone who is passionate about hoof-stock and looking to gain experience with larger species than they are used to and/or working in a safari park setting.
To get the chance to work with so many amazing ungulates whilst working with their dedicated and experienced keepers, register with us and get your application in - please remember to attach your cv and a covering letter to explain why you want to take part!
* Minimum experience requirement is 1 year of full time animal keeping experience in the UK and Ireland.
🦛🦏🦒

Deadline for application is 16/01/2026
Placement dates: 9th - 13th March 2026
https://www.keeperexchange.org/vacancy/ungulate-keeper-2/

03/12/2025

🥳 KEEP PLACEMENT SUCCESS!🥳

Isobel from the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary took part in an exchange with the penguin and flying birds team at ZSL London Zoo where she got chance to work with their fantastic array of bird species!

Isobel said;
"I had the most amazing time on my KEEP placement at London Zoo! The Penguins and Flying Birds team were so welcoming and knowledgeable, and I learned so much from working across a wide range of taxa. I gained valuable enrichment ideas, training approaches, and transferable skills that I’m so excited to take back to my collection! I’m incredibly grateful for the team’s support and would highly recommend a KEEP placement. A huge thank you to ZSL and the KEEP team for facilitating the placement!"

We want to say a huge thank you to the penguin and flying birds team at ZSL London Zoo for being brilliant hosts, and to Isobel or taking part and getting stuck in! 🤩

Don't forget, if you're currently a Zookeeper with over a year's paid experience, you're eligible for the programme! To register now, head to www.keeperexchange.org - you never know where you may end up!

24/11/2025

📣NEW PLACEMENT ALERT! 📣 - LESS THAN A WEEK TO DEADLINE!

Colchester Zoological Society are offering a two-day placement working alongside their fantastic Reptile team. This section includes a wide range of species, including Komodo dragon, slender snouted crocodile, tree monitor, iguana, anaconda, tortoise, frogs and a variety of fish species.
The candidate will have the opportunity to help with the daily husbandry of the species, including cleaning and maintaining enclosures, preparation and distribution of diets and assisting in the provision of enrichment. There will also be the chance to observe some of the positive reinforcement training carried out with the species on section.
This is an amazing opportunity to discuss modern reptile husbandry with our passionate and knowledgeable team, such as UV requirements, diet changes, enrichment and training ideas.
Please apply with your CV and covering letter and advise if you have any special interests.
To get the chance to work with these fantastic animals whilst working with their dedicated and experienced keepers, register with us and get your application in!
Please remember to attach your CV and cover letter explaining why you would like to work with the team and what you are hoping to get from this experience!
* Minimum experience requirement is 1 year of full time animal keeping experience in the UK and Ireland. *
🐍🦎🐢
Deadline for application is 30/11/2025
Placement dates: 11th-12th December 2025
https://www.keeperexchange.org/vacancy/reptile-keeper/