Senior Animal Keeper

Overview

Orana Wildlife Park is owned and operated by Orana Wildlife Trust, a registered charitable trust and not-for-profit organisation. Conservation is a core part of our mission and the key reason Orana exists. Our on-site habitat restoration and predator pest control programmes provide a connecting wildlife corridor and safe haven for some of Canterbury’s most threatened species. Orana Wildlife Park participates in many zoo-based breeding programmes in partnership with the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA), the Zoo & Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), DOC and others. We are committed to continuing our efforts towards these breeding programmes into the future.

We have multiple openings for a position as a Senior Animal Keeper. In this role, you will help provide leadership to our keeping team across one or more of our Exotic Species sections (either Carnivore, Ungulates and / or Primates). The key duties of this role will involve bringing high standards of husbandry and daily care to meet the welfare needs of our animal collection, as well as training and supervising our animal keepers and work experience students. You will help guide and implement training programs, enrichment activities and husbandry practices that prioritises the health and well-being of our animals. Furthermore, the role will involve inspiring visitor experiences that encourage action for wildlife conservation and environmental protection.

You will need a minimum of 5 years' animal husbandry experience working with a variety of mammals, including ungulates, carnivores and primates.

You will possess :

• A high level of energy and physical fitness is required to enable you to meet the daily challenges of the role.
• A proven ability to provide leadership and training to other keeping staff.
• Passion for animal care and welfare and a contributor to a positive work culture.
• A responsible, mature outlook with an ability to build quality internal relationships across all staff teams.
• Emotional intelligence to understand the challenges of day-to-day operations of zoo animals and people.
• A contributor towards open communication that extends to all areas of our organisation.
• Strong practical and problem solving skills (e.g. fence repairs, working with tools and creative thinking).
• Demonstrated commitment to the conservation of species and ecosystems.
• Full driver’s license and the ability to drive a manual vehicle.
• Recognised qualifications in Captive Animal Management and / or Zoology / Biology.
• You will need to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the role nutrition plays in the welfare of zoo animals, and an understanding of the 5 domains of animal welfare .

You will join an incredibly passionate team who are committed to their animals and the conservation efforts Orana plays in the wild.

These are full-time , permanent positions, working on a set 40 hours, 5 days per week roster including some weekends and public holidays. The rostered days of the positions are yet to be determined. The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $62,000 gross per annum.

As a member of our team we are able to offer you :

If you are adaptable and open-minded, with a desire to push yourself to benefit conservation and animal welfare, APPLY NOW! Please ensure you include a letter of introduction alongside your CV.

Applications for this position close on Sunday 14th October 2025, 5pm.

Please note : positions are contingent on funding and approvals.

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