Alex Simpson Email & Phone Number

Whipsnade, England, United Kingdom

Whipsnade, England, United Kingdom

Bewdley, England, United Kingdom

Following my experience from my two internships at Chester Zoo, and study at BSc and MSc level, I was able to obtain my first paid position as a zookeeper. Initially a thee month fixed-term position, I have been retained as a key member of the African Hoofstock team at the park.Rising to the challenge of reduced staffing during the coronavirus crisis.Caring for species such as Giraffe, White Rhino, Common Hippopotamus, Grevy's Zebra, Common Zebra, Congo Buffalo, Cape Buffalo, Ankole Cow, Eland, Waterbuck, Lechwe, Barbary Sheep, and Persian Fallow Deer.Primarily, this role encompasses all daily aspects of modern wild animal management, including the safe moving and daily management of large hoofstock species including Giraffe, White Rhino, and Common Hippopotamus. Perhaps unique to the Safari Park environment, a large part of this role includes patrolling of the often busy drive-through reserve-style enclosures, ensuring the safety and welfare of both customers and animals. Again, perhaps unique to the Safari Park environment, I have daily use of a range of fleet vehicles, predominantly off-road 4x4s and tipping trucks. I have also shown myself to be competent in the regular use of a range of tools and equipment, including petrol backpack blowers, drills, and pressure washers.Assistance in veterinary procedures, including capture and restraint, and daily administration of oral contraceptive medication in a breeding herd of Giraffe. I also remain a primary point of contact for the veterinary team at the park, and liaise with them regularly about ongoing treatment.Part of this role also includes the daily delivery of 'encounter-style' keeper-led talks with members of the public, delivering strong biology and conservation messages.I personally pride myself on my strong knowledge of browse species, and the daily collection and provision of browse for the species in my care.

Stourbridge, England, United Kingdom

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Chester, United Kingdom

This voluntary internship is arguably one of the most widely acknowledged, respected, comprehensive, and successful springboards into zoo animal care employment in the UK.The internship primarily consisted of getting hands-on experience in wild animal management, working to some of the highest standards in the world. Having worked on the Zoo's 'Giraffe' Section, I was able to build up experience and expertise with a range of hoofstock species, including Giraffe, Okapi, Bactrian Camel, Asiatic Wild Ass, Tapir, Congo Buffalo, Red River Hogs, Babirusa, Short-Clawed Otter, and deer species. Routine tasks included animal diet preparation and provision, enclosure maintenance, cleaning of enclosures, browse collection and provision, collection of samples for scientific analysis, enclosure design, the provision of enrichment, and the recording of relevant information, setting up and submitting daily reports for storage on ZIMS. Having undergone comprehensive health & safety training, I worked successfully in, and contributed to some of the most rigorous safe working practices in the industry.In addition to the practical aspects of the role, the internship consisted of monthly workshop-style lectures from esteemed professionals in the organisation. Topics included Record Keeping and Animal Movements, Horticulture in the Zoo Environment, Zoo Animal Nutrition, and Science in the Zoo Environment.Also, during my time here, and in association with the Applied Conservation Science and Curatorial departments at the zoo, I completed a study entitled; 'Investigating the effects of keeper presence on begging behaviour in captive Asian Short Clawed Otters (Aonyx cinereus)', which aimed to improve the welfare and increase the exhibition of natural behaviour in the zoo's group of Asian Short Clawed Otters.

Chester, United Kingdom

Master Of Science - Ms, Animal Welfare Science, Ethics & Law

The degree includes modules such as: - Animal Welfare Science - Care of Captive Animals - Biology of Suffering - Animal Ethics - Welfare.

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Zoo Biology, 2:1

"This course focuses on the biology of exotic animals, namely non-domestic and non-UK wildlife. This is applied to all aspects.