Volunteering
If you like interacting with people and would like to help with the Zoo’s important education and conservation work, then how about joining over 250 people and become a volunteer at Bristol Zoo?
Volunteering at Bristol Zoo
We are not just looking for people who want to work with animals, as there are many opportunities in a variety of fields, and we hope one of them will suit your needs and experiences. The main schemes are:
• Children’s Craft Volunteers
• Animal Encounter Volunteers
• Ranger Volunteers
• Keeper, Gardens and Presentations Volunteers
If you have at least half a day a fortnight to spare, then there could well be something for you. Some positions require a bit more time than others, and we always ask that you expect to be with us for at least six months. We believe that you will be more than rewarded for this commitment.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Bristol Zoo Gardens then please download, complete and send back to us the appropriate application form beneath the respective volunteer position. Volunteers must be 18 years of age (unless stated otherwise) but there is no upper limit.
If you would like further information then please contact Volunteer Services on 0117 974 7363.
Children’s Craft Volunteers
Spend your day being creative and encouraging fun learning in the Zoo’s Activity Centre.
The Centre is run solely by volunteers and attracts lots of our younger visitors. You can get involved in face painting, badge making, brass rubbing, necklace making and other activities. We also have a conservation corner and a retail area. The Activity Centre is in the busy hub of the Zoo right by the main lawn so you’ll always be occupied.
Animal Encounter Volunteers
Animal Encounters are run in the Terrace Theatre and involve presenting some of our smaller animals to the visitors.
You will be handling animals such as snakes, lizards, cockroaches and spiders and will also have the opportunity to carry out the husbandry of our animal collection.
You may also get involved in ‘Zoo-to-You’ where we take these encounters out to the community. Full training will be given
Ranger Volunteers
What an opportunity! Where else can you volunteer alongside tropical wildlife?
We are looking for confident people who enjoy talking to the public and who are willing to learn lots about lemurs, butterflies and our lorikeets. You will be stationed (on a rota) in the Lemur Walkthrough, Butterfly Forest or the Feed the Lorikeets section in our new Explorers’ Creek, where you will answer visitor questions and make sure that both the visitors and the animals are behaving themselves.
On their preferred day volunteers are asked to attend either a morning shift from 10:00 until 13:45 with a meeting at 09:45, or an afternoon shift from 13:30 until 16:30/17:00 (seasonal variances) with a meeting at 13:15. We would expect you to attend your chosen slot weekly.
For those who cannot commit all year round there is also the opportunity to become a holiday/seasonal volunteer ranger during the summer months and other school holiday periods.
Keeper, Gardens or Presentations Volunteers
These volunteers are placed with sections in the zoo and work alongside staff on those sections.
Keepers: There are currently no vacancies in our Mammals section, and places in other animal sections are extremely limited. This is a long, hard day. Volunteering is from 8am – 5pm one day per week as part of the keeping team on your selected animal section. It is a good opportunity for those considering an animal related career or just for those who would like to do something completely different! It is also possible to combine being a keeper volunteer in our Bugworld and a ranger volunteer in our Butterfly forest – so if you have a passion for invertebrates, then this is the role for you!
Minimum age: 16 years (18 if Bugworld keeper volunteer combined with Butterfly Forest ranger).
Gardens: Bristol Zoo has a fantastic reputation for its gardens and has been presented with many awards. You would be expected to complete one day a week and there will be lots of hard work involved, but we are sure you will find this gratifying as you join the dedicated team who help to make the grounds of Bristol Zoo look beautiful all year round. There is a possibility that Gardens Volunteers will be required to work at our Hollywood Towers site at Cribbs Causeway.
Presentations: This is a role working alongside our Presentations Team. You will start by helping out with the husbandry of our trained animals and other general tasks. As you gain confidence you may be trained to give enclosure presentations and help out behind the scenes with the Amazing Animals shows. This is a great position for those who want to learn the skills of working very closely with animals and people.
Volunteer information
Benefits
Once trained, you will receive a complimentary Annual Membership, a polo shirt/sweatshirt and badge to wear when you are on duty. There is a weekly newsletter to keep everyone up-to-date and you are entitled to concessions in the Zoo’s restaurant and shop. The Zoo also organises social events and semi-social training evenings on a regular basis.
Above all, Volunteers receive the companionship of like-minded people in the knowledge that they are helping important conservation and education programmes.
