This week I thought I would change things up a bit from my usual blogs and give you the chance to find out a few more things about the keepers that look after all of the animals on the section. Also to find out which keepers don’t mind getting their legs out in the colder months- or am I just the weird one?
Matt – Head of Mammals
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? 11 Years.
Favourite animal on the section? Everyone knows I don’t have favourites.
What do you dislike most about the job? Early mornings.
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? The list is endless; Rhino, Okapi, Pygmy hippo to name a few!
Shorts or trousers in the colder months? Shorts.
Meg – Senior Keeper
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? 6 years.
Favourite animal on the section? Raccoons.
What do you dislike most about the job? Emptying the bins.
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? Aardvarks or Wombats.
Shorts or trousers in the colder months? Shorts.
Adam – Mammal Keeper
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? 4 years.
Favourite animal on the section? Kathleen, Ron is a close 2nd.
What do you dislike most about the job? Sorting out the fruit & veg deliveries.
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? More Tapirs, especially Malayans!
Shorts or trousers in colder the months? Trousers.
Brooke – Mammal Keeper
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? 3 years.
Favourite animal on the section? Axe (baby boy meerkat born in May).
What do you dislike most about the job? Emptying the bins.
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? Okapi.
Shorts or trousers in the colder months? Shorts.
Sasha – Mammal Keeper
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? 5 months.
Favourite animal on the section? Cusimanse.
What do you dislike most about the job? Putting away the dry food deliveries.
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? Anteater or Hippos (Pygmy or Common).
Shorts or trousers in the colder months? Shorts.
Becca – Mammal Keeper
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? 6 months.
Favourite animal on the section? The giraffes.
What do you dislike most about the job? Being out in the cold weather.
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? Rhinos.
Shorts or trousers in the colder months? Shorts unless it gets really cold!
Cameron – Intern
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? 5 months.
Favourite animal on the section? Warty Pigs.
What do you dislike most about the job? Trying to think of original enrichment can be a challenge.
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? Okapi.
Shorts or trousers in the colder months? Shorts.
Ian – Cover Keeper
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? 3 years.
Favourite animal on the section? Giraffes.
What do you dislike most about the job? Cold winter mornings.
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? Rhino.
Shorts or trousers in the colder months? Shorts.
Becky – Cover Keeper
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? Year and a half.
Favourite animal on the section? Tapirs.
What do you dislike most about the job? Poo picking down at the goats (its everywhere!!!)
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? Hyena or Okapi.
Shorts or trousers in the colder months? Shorts.
Andrew – Cover Keeper
How long have you been a keeper at Wingham? 3 weeks.
Favourite animal on the section? Red Panda.
What do you dislike most about the job? Early starts.
Animal you’d like to see at Wingham? Rhino
Shorts or trousers in the colder months? Trousers.
So there we have it, Team Mammals!
We look forward to seeing you on your next visit to the park so feel free to come and ask us any questions or queries you may have about our animals. On a side note, it looks like most of my keepers are in favour of wearing shorts all year around as well!
As I end my blog for this week I will leave you with some pictures and a quote from Sasha while giving the Giraffe bed a deep clean, ‘This is what makes our Mammal keepers happy’.
