Closing date: Ongoing
3-5 days a week for 4-12 months
At Port Lympne Reserve, situated near Hythe in Kent, we have an internship placement available on the Large Carnivore Section. We are looking for a passionate, hardworking individual to work alongside our team of enthusiastic and likeminded Carnivore Keepers. Port Lympne works in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation; a charity committed to the conservation of rare and endangered animals through breeding and reintroduction programmes.
Port Lympne is home to a wide range of Large Carnivore species. You will get the opportunity to work with species such as Lions, Brown Bears, Andean bears, Amur tigers, Cheetah, painted dogs, European wolves, Amur leopards and Sri Lankan leopards.
This placement is an excellent opportunity for you to shadow our keepers and to learn all aspects of animal husbandry. We will provide comprehensive practical training and significant insight into a successful and responsible zoological collection, with the goal of promoting your future employability in a career in animal husbandry.
The position is physically demanding, so a good level of physical fitness is required. You will need to be able to lift 20kg and willing to work in all weathers. The individual will also need to be comfortable with the butchery of animals and get involved with maintenance and gardening in and around animal exhibits. Due to the remote location, driving licence and/or ability to get to work on time is essential.
We are looking for a commitment of ideally 3-5 days for 3-12months for this internship. The ideal candidate will have previous animal experience or an animal qualification or studying towards one.
As we are a Registered Charity, funded entirely by visitor fees and donations, we regret we are unable to offer any wages or salary for the placement. We will provide a T-shirt and Jumper and discount at the park’s food outlets for the days that you attend work. No other financial benefits are offered. Candidates will need to have the ability to financially support themselves for the entire length of the internship. Please be aware that unfortunately we are unable to offer accommodation.
Closing date for applications: This position will remain open until positions are filled, so please don’t delay in applying. Applicants will be shortlisted and suitable candidates offered trial days before final decision.
Please note: Due to the high volume of applicants, we are unable to reply to all individually, if you haven’t received a response within 3 weeks of applying you have been unsuccessful currently.
To apply, email your CV and covering letter to Sarah Wills at sarahw@portlympne.com
Please specify which internship you are applying for in your email subject. Along with any preference for days, start date and length for internship.