Animal Keeper - Birds of Prey

Animal Keeper - Birds of Prey

Full-Time 25730 - 30000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Care for birds of prey and deliver thrilling educational demonstrations to visitors.
  • Company: Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, a leading Scottish attraction focused on conservation.
  • Benefits: Generous salary, pension contributions, staff discounts, and unique behind-the-scenes experiences.
  • Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact on wildlife conservation and visitor education.
  • Qualifications: Experience with birds of prey and strong communication skills are preferred.
  • Other info: Flexible hours, including weekends and special events, with excellent career development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 25730 - 30000 ÂŁ 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 ÂŁ25,730 p.a. (Based on Experience)

Benefits: Generous Employer ContributionCompany 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: 38.5hours 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 behaviours 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.

Selection Process

We will be reviewing candidates on a rolling basis. First round of selection may be virtual to limit travel, followed by a trial day on site for short‑listed candidates.

Please apply via our Careers Page by following the link below:

Apply to the job: https://www.blairdrummond.com/careers/application/

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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 unique opportunity to work in a vibrant conservation-focused environment near Stirling. With a strong commitment to employee welfare, the park provides generous benefits including a company pension, life insurance, and staff discounts, alongside opportunities for personal growth through hands-on experience with birds of prey. Join a passionate team dedicated to delivering educational experiences while ensuring the highest standards of animal care and visitor engagement.
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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 not only show your enthusiasm but also help you connect your passion for animal welfare with their mission.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your presentation skills! Since you'll be delivering educational talks, it’s crucial to be engaging. Try rehearsing in front of friends or family, focusing on how to make your talks informative yet entertaining.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your hands-on experience! Be ready to discuss any previous work with birds of prey. Share specific examples of your training methods or health monitoring practices to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to animal welfare.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! Don’t forget to submit your application via the Blair Drummond Careers Page. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining the team.

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

Bird Handling
Operant Conditioning Training
Health Monitoring
General Husbandry
Aviary Maintenance
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Attention to Detail
Flexibility
Animal Welfare Commitment
Environmental Enrichment
Conservation Awareness
Risk Assessment Adherence
Public Speaking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Birds of Prey: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for working with birds of prey. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your love for these magnificent creatures and your commitment to their welfare.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the role. Highlight your experience with bird handling, training, and any educational talks you've delivered. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission at Blair Drummond!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and passion.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our Careers Page! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Blair Drummond Safari Park.

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

✨Know Your Birds

Make sure you 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 to share specific examples from your past experiences working with birds of prey. Highlight any training methods you've used, especially operant conditioning, and how you've engaged audiences during educational talks.

✨Demonstrate Team Spirit

Since this role involves working closely with a small team, be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others. Share examples of how you've contributed to a team environment and supported colleagues in achieving common goals.

✨Safety First!

Familiarise yourself with health and safety protocols related to animal care. Be ready to discuss how you ensure safety for both animals and visitors, as this is a key aspect of the role at Blair Drummond Safari Park.

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