Animal Keeper - Birds of Prey

Animal Keeper - Birds of Prey

Stirling Full-Time 25730 - 25730 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Care for birds of prey and deliver thrilling educational demonstrations.
  • Company: Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, a leading Scottish attraction.
  • Benefits: Generous pension, life insurance, staff discounts, and free parking.
  • Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact on conservation and education.
  • Qualifications: Experience with birds of prey and strong communication skills.
  • Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for career growth in a dynamic environment.

The predicted salary is between 25730 - 25730 £ per year.

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park

Scotland, near Stirling. Closing date for applications is: 28th Nov 2025

Job title: Animal Keeper – Birds of Prey

Location: Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park, FK9 4UR

Salary: From £25,730 p.a. (Based on Experience)

Benefits: Generous Employer Contribution Company Pension, Life Insurance, Staff Family Passes, Annual Staff ‘Behind the Scenes Experience Voucher’, 24hr Employee Assistance Programme, 20% Staff Discount in Park, Free parking, Uniform, Support with Relocation (if required).

Hours: 38.5 hours per week (10 days in 14)

The Company

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park was opened to the public in 1970 and was, at the time, one of Britain’s first safari parks. We are now one of the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland. The park has a strong focus on conservation, education and the local community. We also run a successful fundraising program for conservation “Link to the Wild”.

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic and confident animal keeper to join our team working with our Bird of Prey section. This position is offered on a full-time, permanent basis.

The Role

To contribute to and assist Blair Drummond’s bird staff team, ensuring that operations run smoothly and our birds are cared for to the highest standards. To provide a thrilling and educational experience for our visitors and guests.

This exciting opportunity involves working as part of a small team, delivering high quality free flight bird demonstrations for our visitors. Each demonstration showcases the unique natural behaviors of our birds whilst increasing awareness of their vital role within ecosystems. Our aim is also to highlight the need to conserve them in an educational and entertaining manner.

The position involves general husbandry tasks, such as feeding, cleaning aviaries, health monitoring and some aviary maintenance which are all delivered to a high standard.

The successful applicant must be highly motivated, flexible and hard-working. Your role will be to ensure that high standards of bird welfare and visitor experience is sustained. You will work as a valued member of the team and, in collaboration with staff across the organisation, ensure the smooth running of our visitor attraction.

All our team are expected to be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of; operant conditioning training methods for educational presentations, carrying out health checks on birds and general husbandry.

You will be responsible for maintaining a safe environment for both yourself and the visitors by adhering to associated risk assessments and protocols without exception.

This person must be a pro-active individual that will take a hands-on approach within the department with an eye for detail and presentation.

The candidate ideally should have experience of handling various bird of prey species and delivering engaging and educational talks to large audiences.

The successful candidate will be able to work well as part of a team, have the ability to use their initiative, display an interest in and commitment to animal welfare, environmental enrichment and conservation.

Weekend, bank holiday working and flexibility in working hours is essential in this role. Some evening work will be required during special events throughout the year.

Ensuring the safety of our visitors, staff and animals is of key importance and ensuring that health & safety protocols are followed at all times.

Applicant Essentials

  • Experience of working with various bird of prey species.
  • Promote and support the conservation mission of Blair Drummond Safari Park and its aims of being a leading Scottish visitor attraction.
  • Experience working/training medium to large eagle species (preferred not essential)
  • Experience working/training (lure swinging) different falcon species (preferred not essential)
  • Good observation and communication skills.
  • Self-motivated and enthusiastic
  • High understanding of following safe working protocols
  • A current full driving licence.
  • The zoo animal management qualification (DMZAA) is desirable but not essential for this position.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all candidates.

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Animal Keeper - Birds of Prey employer: BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums)

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture focused on conservation and education in the stunning surroundings of Scotland. Employees benefit from a generous pension scheme, life insurance, and unique perks such as family passes and behind-the-scenes experiences, all while contributing to the park's mission of wildlife conservation and visitor engagement. With opportunities for professional growth and a supportive team environment, this role as an Animal Keeper for Birds of Prey promises a fulfilling and rewarding career.
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Contact Detail:

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Animal Keeper - Birds of Prey

Tip Number 1

Get to know the park! Before your interview, spend some time learning about Blair Drummond Safari Park and its conservation efforts. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect with the team during your chat.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you've got experience with birds of prey, be ready to share specific examples of your work. Talk about any training methods you've used or demonstrations you've led – this will make you stand out!

Tip Number 3

Be a team player! Highlight your ability to work well in a team and how you can contribute to the smooth running of the park. Share stories that showcase your collaboration skills and how you’ve supported others in previous roles.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Animal Keeper - Birds of Prey

Bird Handling
Operant Conditioning Training
Health Monitoring
General Husbandry
Aviary Maintenance
Risk Assessment Adherence
Communication Skills
Team Collaboration
Animal Welfare Commitment
Environmental Enrichment
Conservation Awareness
Observation Skills
Self-Motivation
Flexibility in Working Hours
Driving Licence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Birds of Prey: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for birds of prey shine through! Share any relevant experiences you have with these magnificent creatures and how they inspire you to contribute to conservation efforts.

Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight the skills and experiences that align with the role. Mention specific tasks like health monitoring and aviary maintenance to show you understand what the job entails.

Demonstrate Team Spirit: Since this role involves working closely with a small team, emphasise your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Share examples of how you've worked well in teams before, especially in animal care or educational settings.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your commitment to joining our team at Blair Drummond!

How to prepare for a job interview at BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums)

Know Your Birds

Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of various bird of prey species. Be ready to discuss their behaviours, habitats, and conservation needs. This shows your passion for the role and helps you connect with the interviewers.

Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past experiences working with birds of prey. Whether it’s handling techniques or delivering educational talks, having concrete stories will demonstrate your skills and commitment to animal welfare.

Understand the Company’s Mission

Familiarise yourself with Blair Drummond Safari Park’s conservation efforts and community involvement. Being able to articulate how your values align with theirs will make a strong impression and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, training methods, or future conservation projects at the park. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the workplace is the right fit for you.

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