Closing Date: 29th March 2026
Salary: Up to £27,500.00 Per Annum DOE, Plus Desirable Benefits
Onsite accommodation may be available dependent on occupancy
(Full-time, Permanent Position)
Howletts Wild Animal Park, situated near Canterbury in Kent, is looking for an Animal Keeper to join our Carnivore section.
The successful candidate will work alongside our Carnivore Team to maintain the highest standards of animal husbandry while adhering to strict Health and Safety protocols. The role will involve a range of practical duties including daily enclosure maintenance, basic enclosure furnishing, and supporting the care and management of the carnivore collection.
From time to time, the position will also involve livestock dispatch and butchery, for which full training will be provided. The successful applicant will additionally assist with delivering engaging animal encounters.
The carnivore section at Howletts is highly diverse and currently houses 17 species, including Sumatran tiger, painted dogs, snow leopards and several small cat species such as clouded leopard, margay and caracal.
Who we are looking for:
The successful candidate will have a strong passion for animal welfare and, ideally, at least two years’ experience working with carnivores in a recognised zoological collection. You will be confident engaging with visitors and delivering informative public talks, as well as comfortable with livestock dispatch and butchery as part of the role.
A recognised zoo animal management qualification is desirable, although candidates who are willing to work towards one will also be considered. The role is physically demanding, so applicants must be physically fit and able to carry out cleaning and maintenance duties both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. A full, valid UK driving licence is essential. Experience operating tractors, trailers, or dumpers would be advantageous.
Contract details:
This is a full-time, permanent position. Working hours are 40 hours per week, generally 8am to 5pm, 5 days a week including weekends and bank holidays. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
The location:
Howletts Wild Animal Park is located near Canterbury and set within 90 acres of land to explore. Howletts is home to over 300 rare and endangered species, including Kents only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, and more gorillas and monkeys than any zoo in the county! Most importantly, every one of our employees is part of real conservation in action and their efforts have contributed to animals such as black rhino and western lowland gorillas being returned to their natural habitats in collaboration with our partners at The Aspinall Foundation.
Why you should join us:
We’re on a mission to create memorable experiences that matter, and our Core Values ‘One Team’, Customer’ and ‘Pride’ are what drive us each day to become part of something extraordinary. As well as walking to work surrounded by the calls of Howler monkeys and the roars from our pride of Lions, you will join a supportive team who are passionate about their place of work. Be part of the Port Lympne and Howletts family and join our pride.
You can also expect a host of other roarsome benefits including:
- 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, rising with length of service (Pro-rata to start date and working hours).
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including workshops and e-learning.
- Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity Policies.
- Unlimited free entry for you and a person of your choice into both of our parks as well as friends and family tickets.
- Exceptional discounts on food, retail and accommodation at our parks.
- Numerous retail discounts and access to a 24-hour counselling line through our Healthy Extras Scheme.
- Company Pension
- And many more length or service-related rewards and Benefits.
To apply: Please email a CV along with a covering letter to: recruitment@howlettsandportlympne.com
