Love Your Zoo Week - Keeper Spotlight: Shelly, Primate and Small Mammals Section Leader

As part of Love Your Zoo Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible people who help care for the animals at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm. Meet Shelly, our Primates and Small Mammals Section Leader, whose passion for conservation, teamwork and animal welfare shines through every single day. From caring for curious primates to inspiring visitors to connect with wildlife, Shelly shares what life as a zookeeper is really like and why protecting species for future generations means so much to her.

How long have you worked in Zoo keeping?

I have been working in a Zoo setting for over 11 years now.

What is your role here at Noah's Ark and what does a typical day look like?

I am the Lead keeper of the Primates and small mammals team. A typical day in the life of shelly is a lot of problem solving, teamwork, organised chaos and having the superpower to have 4 hands instead of two! Everyday sure is different but in the best way. There is no typical day! Fun and smiles are always included and if the animals and visitors are smiling, we have done our job.

Did you always know you wanted to work with animals, and what first inspired that interest?

I always knew I wanted to work with animals in some sort of capacity, but work experience through my younger years helped to pin point the areas of interest. That being to help to secure biodiversity for future generations in which ever way I can. The Zoo setting provides the chance to conserve species via breeding programs and to educate on why these species are so important. I want to make the public fall in love with our Zoo too.

What steps did you take to become a Zookeeper (study, volunteering, first roles)?

To get in to the Zoo keeper industry is very challenging because of the demand. I firstly obtained a degree at university studying conservation biology. From there I was lucky enough to obtain a position at Longleat Safari Park as a keeper. My persistence with sending around C.Vs to anywhere animal related got me a phone call asking if I was interested in a animal keeper role at Longleat. It was there I fell in love with all things primate and small mammal.

Was there anything that surprised you when you started working in the field?

What surprised me the most when I got into this field was the lack of knowledge from visitors about animals in general. Being so proud of the species I worked and work with now, I want to shout about them and make the visitors as intrigued by them and their behaviour as I am. It has made me aware of just how important education in zoos is and what makes them stop and look for that bit longer. For example, when the Siamang Gibbons make their territory call when visitors arrive, it really makes people stop and wonder what’s going on, ask questions and engage with the species. They go away having learned a behaviour that they may not have known existed and it becomes a talking point with friends and family.

What skills do you think are most important for zoo keeping?

Skills that are most important to zoo keeping in my opinion are dedication, patience, adaptation, having great interpersonal skills and teamwork.

What has been one of your biggest challenges?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced is moving from keeper to lead keeper. I absolutely love my position and leading by example and creating a safe space for the team to thrive and further the care we give to our species. It’s been challenging having the confidence in yourself to know you are making the right decisions, being the best version of yourself you can be to allow the team to blossom. It’s a feeling like no other seeing your team happy and thriving and one of many aspects of my job I absolutely love. I guess this ties in to the proudest moments I’ve had, is to see the progression each team member makes every day, seeing the smiles and the enthusiasm to do the best we can do for the animals and seeing them thrive as a result.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is to see the species we work with show natural behaviours just like they would in the wild. Providing the space, enrichment and conditions that they need to show these behaviours is highly rewarding.

What conservation message do you hope visitors take away?

If a visitor takes any message away with them, I hope it’s that environments like zoos, sanctuaries, parks and collections are crucial to the conservation of species for generations to come. Every single species is important as another.

What advice would you give someone wanting to become a Zookeeper?

The advice I would give to someone wanting to become a zoo keeper is show your absolute dedication and passion through volunteering or work placements. The more experience you have will home in on what you really want to do as a career and help in kick starting your career off in a trainee role. Experience, experience, experience.

What does working here mean to you?

Working at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm means a lot to me for so many reasons. It’s a paradise from home, its peace and tranquillity. It’s not a job, it’s a passion I get to experience every day. It can be a roller coaster of unpredictability but worth every second to come to work and see the happiness and joy it spreads on so many people's faces, staff and visitors. The family that are the staff is what sets this place apart from any other.