Keeper for a Day experience at ZSL London Zoo

A couple of weeks ago I spent a beautiful sunny day at ZSL London Zoo on a special Keeper for a Day experience. I had such a great time and I really wanted to share some pics.

I got to London Zoo early in the morning and met the other members of our group. There were only 6 of us so it was easy to get to know everyone. I was handed a pair of overalls and we headed over to the restaurant for some breakfast and to find out our activities for the day.

The Keeper for a Day experience is really well organised. We were looked after by one of the Keepers who told us all about the work of the Zoo and the animals. Our day was packed with activities with a break for lunch and ended with tea and cake at the restaurant.

Our first stop was to visit the zebras and clean out their pens. This meant sweeping up the old straw, placing it in a wheelbarrow and tipping it into a bin through a hole in the wall. When this was done fresh straw could be put down and the animals let back into their pen.

Then it was off to chop up carrots so we could feed the three giraffes from the viewing platforms. Only one wanted to come out and snack on the carrots but it was amazing being up close to them. They have the longest tongues I’ve ever seen!

We chopped up food for the bearded pigs then went over to feed them, they eat a lot of food and some was held back for their breakfast the next day.

We headed over to Penguin Beach to clean the rocks around the pool. They were really nosy creatures and very interested in our brushes! We also found they were quite simple and were able to make them run around chasing the reflection of a watch or mobile in the sun.

Our next stop was to see the giant Galapagos Tortoises and clean their pool. They loved to be scratched and rose up on their legs to show they were enjoying it.

After lunch we fed the Colobus Monkeys and saw the cute baby monkey who was born in April. They enjoyed eating their chopped vegetables although they were a little greedy too!

We walking all round the zoo and my favourite part was hiding food for the Coatis. After they has discovered the pieces we had hidden we sat down and let then climb over us to discover more food. We got in with the Meerkats and watched the Aardvarks sleeping. We really were given so many opportunities to get close to the animals and it was fascinating to see behind the scenes at London Zoo.

Our final stop was to feed the fish in the Aquarium. We have fish at home but they’re not my favourite animals and I really didn’t want to feed them fresh insects! We went behind the scenes to the work area at the back of the tanks and luckily I was allowed to stand and watch as everyone else fed them. We also got a chance to see tanks full of exotic plants and fish which had been brought into the country illegally. I never knew so much went on at ZSL London Zoo!

After our Keeper for a Day experience at ZSL London Zoo had finished we changed out of our overalls and were allowed to visit the Zoo until it was closed. I was surprisingly tired but had to go and visit the Sloths which are my favourite animals. I had a great experience and would recommend the Keeper for a Day to anyone with an interest in animals or the work of the Zoo. You can find out more on the ZSL website.

You may also be interested in our experience staying overnight at the Lookout Lodge at Whipsnade Zoo.