A Zookeeper Swap Between Paignton Zoo and Taronga Zoo

By Philip Knowling 

Paignton, UK - A young woman from Paignton is taking part in a job swap with a difference. 

Nicky Jago, a mammal keeper at Paignton Zoo, is changing places with a keeper at a zoo in Australia for three months. The 17,000 kilometre (10,500 mile) exchange will see her start work on the primate section at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo on 18th April.

“I hope to gain new experiences, learn new ideas and work with new species. It will be interesting to see how different people tackle the same sort of jobs. I’m looking forward to finding out how they approach environmental enrichment and training for animal husbandry purposes. They have species we have here, including spider moneys. They also have native Australian species, so I hope I can pick up a few tips with regard to looking after our echidnas.”

Nicky works on Paignton Zoo’s monkey section, caring for Diana monkeys, Sulawesi crested black macaques and colobus monkeys, among others. “I think I will miss the monkeys on my section, my colleagues - and Spring in the Zoo!”

Nicky is swapping large parts of her life - including home, car and job - with Laura Fidler from Taronga’s primate team. Laura, who was born in the UK, will spend three months working at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.

Paignton Zoo’s Mammal Department helped to arrange the trip. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Director of Operations and Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: “We encourage keeper exchanges as both zoos benefit with staff sharing their knowledge and their practical experience. To date most have taken place between zoos in the UK, or with European zoos. Laura comes highly recommended and as such is a fair trade for Nicky.“

For Nicky it’s the trip of a lifetime: “This will be my first time in Australia. I hope to see some sights and to visit some other Australian zoos while I am over there. It will be winter but it will be plenty hot enough for working!” 

She returns to the UK in July.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring (01803) 697500.

Paignton Zoo is a member of the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums. For further information please telephone 020 7449 6351.

Paignton Zoo page on Z&A: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-783-Paignton_Zoo_Environmental_Park