London Zoo Is Putting Their Zookeepers Up For Adoption

By Rebecca Smith 

London, UK - They are handsome, tanned, and strong. They love cute and cuddly animals, and yet they’re man enough to wear shorts all year round. They are the perfect men, and now they’re up for grabs this Christmas…

For the first time ever, two of ZSL London Zoo’s zookeepers are being put up for adoption to help raise extra funds for animal conservation. This Christmas, Lucifer the lion and Roxy the rockhopper will be facing stiff competition from their keepers.

Darren Jordan and Mark Habben are both fine specimens of the species Homo sapiens (more commonly known as humans), and both are inhabitants of ZSL London Zoo. Darren likes to spend his time with the birds at the Zoo, whilst Mark can often be found strolling through the grounds with a llama.
 
Whilst neither Darren nor Mark can be taken home for Christmas dinner as they’re both expected at their mums’, ZSL London Zoo is open every other day of the year, leaving plenty of opportunity to pay a visit and see them in action.
 
Adoptions Manager, Ian Vallance, said: “A lot of zoos offer animals for adoption, but this is the first time that a zoo has its keepers on offer, we can’t wait to see who is most popular”.
 
The proud owner of either zookeeper will receive a fantastic online adopter’s pack and regular email updates about their adoptee, plus a ticket for free entry to the Zoo.
 
Darren or Mark can be bought just in time for Christmas, from Monday (22nd December) by visiting www.zsl.org/adopt. Because the adoptions can be delivered instantly, last minute shoppers can even buy gift adoptions on Christmas morning.

*  ZSL launched a new Adopt an Animal scheme in November 2008, allowing people to adopt 20 of the most charismatic and popular animals at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos. There are ten animals from each Zoo up for adoption, ranging from Lucifer the Lion at London to Elvis the Chimpanzee at Whipsnade. More information can be found on the website at www.zsl.org/adopt .
 
*  A ZSL adoption costs just £30 and all of the money raised from the adoption scheme is used to fund the work of ZSL, including the running costs of both Zoos and the worldwide Conservation Projects.
 
*  Adoptions can be bought online in minutes and the recipient will be notified by text message or email whenever the buyer chooses. For last-minute shoppers out there, the gift of an adoption can even be bought on Christmas morning.
*  Adopters will receive an online adopter’s pack, including an adoption certificate, a free ZSL Zoo ticket, a subscription to ZSL magazine Wild About, and regular email updates about the adoption.
 
*  ZSL Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats.  The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research at the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation overseas. For further information please visit www.zsl.org

Photo 1: Mark Habben

Photo 2: Darren Jordan