Paignton Zoo is currently proving to be home-from-home for two Australian zoo keepers.
Laura Fidler, from Taronga Zoo in Sydney, New South Wales, is on a three-month work exchange with Paignton Zoo mammal keeper Nicky Jago. Sheila Roe, from Melbourne Zoo in Victoria, came over for the recent International Conference on Environmental Enrichment hosted by the Zoo and stayed on to work with her British counterparts for a few weeks.
Both are pleasantly surprised by the recent good weather. Laura said: “It’s nice – though where I come your heat-wave is our warm Spring day!”
Laura has never worked with any of the primate species to be found at Paignton Zoo, so she is acquiring useful experience. “I have some new favourites - pygmy slow loris, emperor tamarins, Abyssinian colobus monkey. It’s a large and varied collection.”
She went on: “Things like cleaning and food prep are the same in any zoo. Keepers are keepers – you need to have the same passion for the work. But it’s always good to talk about ideas, problems and solutions with people in the same position.”
She will be taking a lot of fresh ideas back to Australia. “I’ve picked up a lot of tips on environmental enrichment – the way you work out timetables, especially with some of the primate species, so they have different enrichments every day for a month. Back home enrichment is mainly food based. I’d say here it is more varied and more advanced.”
Sheila: “I like the way Paignton Zoo ties in animal conservation with environmental messages and education, with lots to read about conservation projects. And I think trying to get rid of palm oil in the restaurant because of the way the production hits orang utans is excellent.”
Both have taken the chance to explore the region. For Laura, who is here with her husband Steve, it is her first time in this region. She said: “I love Dartmouth, Cockington, walks by the sea and all the narrow streets.” She has also been further afield, enjoying North Devon and Dartmoor.
Sheila: “Cream teas are an acquired taste. You don’t realise how alien it is to other people – the idea sounds revolting. Clotted cream is very rich, a little goes a long way!”
Taronga and Melbourne are both city zoos and get some government funding. As a charity, Paignton Zoo has to stand on its own two feet. While Paignton Zoo is a similar size, it is much greener and more open, though Sheila added: “Back home people see possums running around the zoo in the way you have rabbits here!”
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring (01803) 697500.
Philip Knowling 01803 697568
