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Kim Preston - Zoo Keeper
I work on the Mammal section of the Zoo, with four different rounds (group of animals) so I get heaps of variety. I work with rhino, giraffe, zebra and other hoofstock, small primates and some carnivores.
On a daily basis I clean enclosures, prepare food and feed out, provide enrichment, carry out enclosure maintenance and do Keeper talks to the public.
I did 12 months work placement here at the Zoo while undertaking my degree at The University of Waikato (Bachelor of Science - Technology: Animal Behaviour). After that I worked here on a casual basis while I completed my studies. The I got a job at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast. I lived there for 6 months, working with dingoes, otters, foxes and camel. I was then lucky enough to score a full-time job back here at home!
The thing I enjoy most about working at the Zoo is being able to work with such unique animals everyday! I love working outdoors and doing my bit to help all the animals lead full and healthy lives.
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Vanessa Rowe - Zoo Keeper
I am a Mammal Keeper which means I can be working with rhino one day. and chimps or tigers the next - which is great for variety!
Most of the time I work with kune kune pigs, alpacas, capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys and brazilian tapir. The pigs and tapir love to have belly scratches! I feel privileged to work with the only tapir In NZ and educate visitors about these unique animals.
I completed the Certificate in Captive Wild Animals through Unitec and obtained casual Zoo Keeping work at Hamilton Zoo through doing my work experience for the course here. Around 18 months later I managed to get a full time position as a Zoo Keeper! My favourite part of being a Zoo Keeper would have to be interacting and being up close to amazing animals on a daily basis. I also enjoy educating the public about the animals and conservation issues involved with endangered species.
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Cindy Silvey - Administrator
I am an administrator and receptionist for Hamilton Zoo. On a day to day basis I am responsible for dealing with financial aspects, maintaining Zoo databases and procedures and making bookings.
I am also responsible for dealing with admissions and queries from the public.
I have been an employee of the Hamilton City Council for eight and a half years. I was looking for a new challenge and when the opportunity to work at one of Hamilton’s landmark sites came up. I jumped at the chance to join the Zoo!
The thing I enjoy most about my role is receiving comments from the public on how they think that this is the best zoo they have been to.
I also love having the opportunity to be around exotic animals. I just wish I could get out and see them more!
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Phil Skewes - Zoo Keeper
I have been working in the Mammal section of the zoo since late 2008. The main tasks each day Include feeding the animals, cleaning their enclosures and making sure they have everything they need to be healthy and happy. This includes providing enrichment, shelter and medical treatments. As well as my normal keeper work I also do things like building animal dens and enclosures.
Before I became a zoo keeper I worked as both a sheep farmer and a tour guide. This gave me great skills that I use now as a keeper. I became a volunteer guide at Monarto Zoo in South Australia, which eventually led to a part time as a keeper. I then completed the Certificate In Captive Animals In Australia.
I enjoy working closely with animals and conditioning them to do certain things for us that ultimately help us to help them. I get a lot of satisfaction working with species that are endangered - building up their numbers and releasing them back into the wild. The conservatlon of wildlife is now one of the main focuses of the mo and that's great!
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Kara Goddard - Zoo Keeper
My role is working with the birds, reptiles and frogs. I have quite a diverse role with lots going on. A lot of my time is taken up with routine feeding and cleaning, and I have loads of other duties. These range from collecting faecal samples to organising frog surveys. I hold three studbooks - Duvaucel's gecko, Tui & Hochstetter's frog. These also keep me busy with collating the information and writing yearly reports.
I trained as a vet nurse, and have also done a Conservation Corps course. I started as a part timer at the Zoo and then moved into full time employment. I have been here nearly 15 years. I have done quite a bit of training during my time at the zoo, every thing from First Aid to chainsaw training.
I really enjoy working with the native species and interacting with some of our partners like Doc. I have had some great opportunities to go to some extraordinary places to release or research animals.
The temperature of the saltwater crocodile's egg will determine the sex of the new born crocodile.
