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Chester Zoo is looking for volunteers to help care for its animals and ‘prevent extinction’
Ready to help make a difference?
Emily Sergeant -
27th February 2025 
Are you ready to help make a genuine difference? Chester Zoo is currently looking for volunteers to help care for its animals.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo is committed to the recovery of endangered species around the world, and is making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most… but it can’t do this alone, and that’s why it’s calling on people to volunteer and spend a year of their education gaining ‘invaluable’ work experience.
Chester Zoo is offering a number of year-long Animal Husbandry Voluntary Work Placements for those currently studying for degrees relevant to the industry.
During these placement years, candidates will get comprehensive practical training by Chester Zoo specialists covering a wide range of subjects, and receive on-the-job experience in the husbandry of the species they’re working with, taking on plenty of hands-on husbandry tasks along the way.
Candidates will be assigned to one of the animal keeping sections for the year – specialising in either birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates.
The ideal candidates for these placement years will have an interest in all aspects of animal husbandry and the work of Chester Zoo, an ability to work as an individual or as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and have the ability to financially support themselves for the duration.
The working hours for placement volunteers will be full-time, working five days out of seven, including alternate weekends, on a rota basis, but it’s worth it as Chester Zoo says many of its past placements have gone on to follow careers in zoos.
Full uniform will be provided by the Chester Zoo, along with free lunch vouchers for the days you attend.
The news that Chester Zoo is seeking volunteers comes after it was also announced that the zoo is giving out more than 30,000 free tickets to children, offering them the chance to visit the incredible facilities on offer without having to spend a penny.
Keen to apply then?
Applications for the positions are now open, and applications from individuals living outside of the UK are welcome, but they will be expected to fund your own travel and relocation costs if successful – with the closing date being 10 March.
Read more:
- Chester Zoo is giving away more than 30,000 FREE tickets to children
- New images released of Chester Zoo’s luxury overnight safari-style lodges
- Chester Zoo awarded more than £300k to help improve nature recovery and local wildlife conservation
Assessment days for the placements are anticipated to take place on 4 or 11 April, and you can find out more and apply here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
