Set in 180 hectares, Orana Wildlife Park (Christchurch) is New Zealand’s only open range zoo.
The Park is home to 1,000 animals representing over 90 different species. The focus of our
collection is New Zealand native fauna and African savannah wildlife. Orana continues to work
through our exciting development plan to ensure the Park continues to evolve into the future.
Operated as a charitable trust, Orana fulfils an important role in managed zoo-based breeding
programmes. The Park’s most recent project, construction of a new $1.8M Rhino Conservation
Centre, is now complete. This facility will ensure that Orana Wildlife Park is well positioned to
continue our long-term involvement in the international breeding programme and generate
additional support for white rhino conservation in range states.
Position Advertisement:
We have a fantastic opportunity for a suitably skilled person to join our dedicated Exotic Species
animal keeping team in a Senior Animal Keeper role. We are seeking to employ an experienced
senior exotic animal keeper with demonstrated supervisory skills. You will need to be a highly
driven and energetic individual with a passion for wildlife/animal care and public education.
The ideal applicant will possess the following skills and attributes:
- A minimum of seven years animal husbandry experience in a modern zoo setting, working
across a broad range of taxa.
- A qualification in zoo keeping (or similar) would be considered an advantage.
- Proven ability to supervise and train other keeping staff.
- Experience in nutritional planning, breeding plan implementation, animal introductions and/
or exhibit design.
- A mature attitude, a team player with a positive outlook and have an ability to build quality
internal relationships across all staff teams.
- Experience in completing quarantines for new and/or sick animals according to requirements
would be considered an advantage.
- Good communication, with a professional approach to visitors.
- A background in training/conditioning animals is desirable.
- High level of physical fitness (heavy lifting will be required).
- Good practical and maintenance skills, e.g. exhibit maintenance, fence maintenance, electric
fence repairs, etc.
Duties will include:
- Training and supervision of other animal keepers and work experience students.
- Providing daily care and welfare to a variety of animals.Setting the work standard, being able to work with minimal supervision.
Involvement in zoo-based breeding programmes.
- Be familiar with all safety procedures and equipment, along with ensuring all such procedures
are followed at all times.
- Implementing behavioural enrichment programmes including training and conditioning
animals for health checks.
- Conducting fun, informative presentations to educate visitors on the plight of exotic fauna.
- Animal observations and record keeping.
- Maintaining animal enclosures and exhibits.
- Implementing the organisation’s Health and Safety and Safe Operating Procedures.
The working week for the position is to be determined and will involve working full time, 40 hours
per week. This work roster may include working one or both weekend days. Hours of work are
8:30am to 5:00pm.
The salary for the position will be negotiated with the successful applicant in the range from
$58,000 up to a maximum of $62,000 per annum. Salary will be in accordance with skills and
experience.
If you wish to apply, visit Wildlife Job Vacancies | Orana Wildlife Park. Download and complete
our official application pack and return to us by 5pm, Monday 15th April by either email or posting
to: Manager of Exotic Species, Orana Wildlife Park, PO Box 5130, Christchurch 8542.
We will review applications as they are received.