Since joining in May 2009, my role as General Manager
at Seaview Wildlife Encounter has been extremely varied.
I’ve been integrally involved in activities ranging
from strategic and collection planning, business development,
marketing (including re-branding the business, new website
and social networking development), human resource management
and hands-on involvement with the animals.
My earlier working experience included thirteen years
developing and managing my own recruitment consulting
businesses; however I’ve always had a passion for
animals and wildlife conservation and spent much of my
free time, over many years, in the bush and in game reserves
in sub-Saharan Africa.
Since graduating with a degree in Animal Management from
Sparsholt College in 2006 I have been fortunate in gaining
an interesting spectrum of experience, including working
with other zoos, conservation centres and wildlife parks.
Here
at Seaview Wildlife Encounter we’ve had an incredibly
positive two years with the Park recording its best
results and highest visitor figures since its inception
in 1971! Recently we’ve been celebrating various
awards including Gold in Tourism South East’s
“Best Visitor Experience for 2010” and the
GoWight Tourism and Leisure Award 2009.
There are lots of activities being planned for the coming
year too! It’s our 40th Anniversary year (1971
– 2011) and there are some fantastic events coming
up! These include hosting the launch of the Isle of
Wight Walking Festival – on May 7th – with
Dippy making a special, celebrity appearance! Please
keep a check on our Website and BLOG for regular news
updates!
We’re looking forward to welcoming back our regular
friends to the Park – and for anyone who hasn’t
yet treated themselves - 2011 is the year! Visiting
Seaview Wildlife is a special, memorable day out - you
need to spend at least three or four hours here to really
experience the diversity of wildlife, the magnificent
open parkland setting (with vistas over the Solent)
and to enjoy the truly unique, hands-on interaction
with our birds and animals. See you soon!
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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?
It’s very varied! Everything from being hands-on
with the animals to strategic planning, marketing and
human resource management.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PARK AND WHY?
I enjoy all aspects of the Park – each having
its own special qualities.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ANIMAL OR BIRD AT THE PARK
AND WHY?
I love and respect them all!
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
The variety of my involvement.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD KEEPER?
Having passion for animals and animal care combined
with a positive, hands-on approach – and customer
service skills.
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Animals and animal behaviour, wildlife and nature conservation;
dogs and dog training; photography; running and healthy
living.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR VISITORS?
Allow 3 – 4 hours to explore and enjoy the setting,
the animals, the café and shop – and the
entire experience!
Tara
Hayter - Head Keeper & Education Officer
I have been an Animal Keeper
at the Park for a number of years but not before studying
BSc Animal Science (Behaviour and Welfare) at Plymouth
University.
When I'm not getting my toes chewed by our cheeky Otters
or running around catching up newly hatched ducklings
I love to photograph and pencil draw some of my favourite
animals at the Park.
I am very passionate about
Wildlife Conservation and I am currently a volunteer
for the Wildlife Trust and BDMLR (British Divers Marine
Life Rescue) although I haven't saved any whales or
dolphins yet!
Perhaps my most memorable
wildlife encounters have been in New Zealand where I
was given the opportunity to swim with a colony of playful
seals, observe the rarest yellow-eyed penguin emerge
from the sea after a hard days fishing and capture the
moment of a humpback whale's fluke disappearing into
the depths of the ocean!
More recently I
fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit Cape Town, South Africa,
where I volunteered for 6 weeks with SANCCOB (The South
African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds)
and was involved in the rehabilitation and release of
endangered African Penguins and other sick or injured
marine birds.
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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?
Providing educational/interactive presentations to visitors,
school children, both on/off site.
Day to day care of all the animals at the Park, including:
administering medication, providing enrichment, providing
a clean environment for them, providing fresh, clean food
and water daily.
Organisation of Animal Care Team to ensure smooth operation
of daily tasks.
Training of new Keepers and volunteers.
General and medical assistance to visitors and Keepers.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PARK AND WHY?
My favourite part is the general outlook and position
of the Park with the Solent and reserve in view!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ANIMAL OR BIRD AT THE PARK AND
WHY?
All the animals at the Park light up my day and put
a smile on my face so it’s impossible to have
a favourite animal as they all have their own cheeky
characters!
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
The close interaction with the animals at the Park in
an outdoor environment.
Providing visitors with an educational and interactive
experience, especially young children!
The beautiful location and surrounds of the Park, providing
the animals with spacious and natural-looking enclosures.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD KEEPER?
Hardworking, dedicated and passionate person who doesn’t
mind getting their hands dirty (and occasionally getting
the odd bite or bruise!)
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Wildlife photography, pencil drawing my favourite animals
at the Park, snorkelling, walking, conservation issues
(Wildlife Trust, BDMLR)
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR VISITORS?
Leave yourself plenty of time to take lots of photos!
And don’t forget to try one of Graham’s
homemade cookies!!
Fern
Daley- Animal Keeper
I have had an interest in all wildlife from a very young
age – and went on to study at Sparsholt College
where I gained a BTEC National Certificate and First Diploma
in Animal Management.
I consider myself very lucky to work at Seaview Wildlife
Encounter.
From working here my interest in birds has grown and in
2010 I decided to further my knowledge of birds by starting
a diploma in Ornithology.
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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?
My job is mainly animal husbandry based; making sure all
the animals enclosures are clean and tidy and that all
the animals are healthy, well fed and watered. I also
give educational and fun talks to the public.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PARK?
I can’t really say I have a favourite section, I
really like them all. However the Penguin and Pelican
talks are probably my favourite.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ANIMAL AT THE PARK?
It would probably have to be the Penguins. I find all
Penguin species very interesting, plus they are funny
to watch. I also really like Boris (one of our Moluccan
Cockatoos) – he is very sweet and loves attention.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
The best part of my job is working so closely with the
animals – and the fact that I never stop learning
on the job.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD KEEPER?
Someone who is happy and friendly and can communicate
well with the public. Someone who takes time to pay attention
to the animals and their needs. Plus they need to be someone
who doesn’t mind going home smelling like one or
more of the animals!
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I spend a lot of time with my friends. I love being outdoors,
either walking or cycling.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP FOR VISITORS?
Definitely go to all the Keeper talks, they are fun and
educational, you get to meet most of the animals and get
really close to them – and it will keep your children
entertained all day.
Jake
Cousins - Animal Keeper
I
achieved a National Certificate in Animal Management
at the Isle Of Wight College back in 2009, and when
a job working here at Seaview Wildlife Encounter presented
itself, I jumped at the chance to get to work with such
a wide variety of different animals.
I take great pride in what I do, and being part of such
a brilliant establishment makes me feel incredibly privileged.
I enjoy every aspect of my job, from the talks, down
to not so glamorous duties such as cleaning the enclosures.
I am now about
to enter my 3rd season at the Seaview, and it is only
natural to have built a very strong bond with all of the
livestock we have here.
There are many fascinating characters which I have grow
very fond of, and as all the Keepers will tell you, two
of them stand out in my eyes by miles. 'Boris' one of
our Moluccan Cockatoo's who you can see above, is my personal
favourite due to his loving nature, and since working
here I have built a strong relationship with him. The
other is 'Sammy' who is a Blue Fronted Amazon, with a
remarkable talent to sing and talk.
I look forward to seeing what the year ahead brings to
the Park, and hope to be working here for many happy years
to come.
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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?
To maintain a high standard of husbandry for all the animals
at Seaview Wildlife, and to give informative and fun talks
on some of our animals.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PARK AND WHY?
My favourite part of the Park is “Up Top”
which is our Penguins, Pink Backed Pelicans, and Big Flight
Aviary, which is home to our large collection of different
Parrots. This is my favourite part of the Park because
all the animals have tons of personality.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ANIMAL OR BIRD AT THE PARK AND
WHY?
In my opinion the best species at the Park has to be the
Penguins due to them being very entertaining, and also
because the resident celebrity ‘Dippy’ lives
here, and can normally be found playing with one of the
Keepers.
But my favourite individuals are in fact our Moluccan
Cockatoo ‘Boris’, and our Blue-fronted Amazon
‘Sammy’. Both of these are my favourites because
they are both such great characters with Boris’s
very cheeky chit chat and Sammy’s opera-style singing.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
Being able to get so hands on, and be part of conservation
projects for such a large variety of different exotic
and rare species.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD KEEPER?
Being able to commit 100% to such a demanding job purely
for your love of animals.
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Going out and about with my girlfriend and friends; working
on my car; and of course doing my voluntary work for the
local RSPCA.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR VISITORS?
Take your time to look at everything because you will
see something different every time you visit.
You never know what you might be lucky enough see....and
of course keep a camera on you at all times.
Charlotte
Goswell - Animal Keeper
Having
a strong passion for nature and the environment from
a young age, I went on to obtain a degree in Environmental
Science from the University of Plymouth in 2008. Shortly
after, I began working as an animal keeper at the Blue
Reef Aquarium, where I stayed for two years. Looking
to expand my experience, I applied for a position here
at the Park and was successful. I have been on the animal
care team since March, and am enjoying every minute!
My interest in the natural world extends to my leisure
time, and I have worked with organisations such as the
National Trust, the Marine Conservation Society and
the Wildlife Trust. I am also a volunteer at the Isle
of Wight Zoo. I enjoy nothing better than to be out
looking for wildlife and to share is through education.
I have been very lucky to witness many wildlife encounters
both here in the UK and abroad. One of my favourites
was when I managed to get less than a metre away from
a family of wild manatees in Florida a few years ago.
It was amazing to get up close to these incredible creatures!
In 2007 I went
on an expedition to Malaysia, where I encountered all
types of wildlife imaginable! Waking up to the sounds
of the rainforest, finding snakes, spiders and bats whilst
trekking through cave systems, diving with tropical fish
and sharks and working in the beautiful mangrove forests
were all experiences I will never forget.
There are some great opportunities here in the UK too.
I have seen seals off the coast of Plymouth whilst at
University, been swimming with hundreds of jellyfish in
Cornwall, and watched red squirrels foraging in my back
garden right here on the island.
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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?
All aspects of animal husbandry such as feeding the animals,
cleaning and maintaining enclosures, health checking and
administering medical care. A significant part of my role
also involves providing information to members of the
public such as general visitors and school parties. This
consists of conducting a variety of daily talks and presentations,
which are both fun and educational.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PARK AND WHY?
The view of the Solent from the Penguin Pool –
its lovely working right by the sea!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ANIMAL OR BIRD AT THE PARK AND
WHY?
It is extremely difficult to pick just one as there
are so many amazing species and characters. I have to
admit though I do have a soft spot for otters!
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
Being able to work so closely with a large variety of
species. Meeting and educating people of all ages and
raising awareness about the natural world. Sharing my
enthusiasm and passion, and trying to get people over
their fears at bugs and reptiles!
WHAT MAKES A GOOD KEEPER?
Someone who is dedicated, hard working, focused and
realistic. You have to be organised and capable of putting
in 100% of your effort, whatever the job. You must have
constant passion and enthusiasm for the natural world,
and be willing to do everything you can to care for
the animals. Being confident with the public, having
a sense of humour and being able to deal with the odd
bite or scratch also helps!
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Natural history, current affairs, travelling, photography
and reading. I have a great interest in music, being
a musician myself, playing the piano and learning the
guitar. I also enjoy an active lifestyle, often outdoors,
with pursuits such as walking, swimming, snorkelling
and surfing.
WHAT'S YOUR TOP TIP FOR VISITORS?
Remember to bring your camera along, and make the most
of the day by going along to talks and presentations.
Oh and hang around for a while just after the otter
feeding – as it’s often the best time to
watch their playful antics!
Work Experience Students and Volunteers
Work
Experience Students
The Park is a great place for college and university students
studying towards a degree in Animal Management (or similar)
to gain practical experience. Each year we offer a limited
number of students a 'work experience' opportunity, usually
for a period of two weeks. This enables students to be
hands-on, working closely with experienced Keepers, assisting
with a wide range of animals and birds and gaining behind-the-scenes
experience in many aspects of Animal Keeping - feeding,
cleaning, health-checking as well as assisting with adhoc
projects.
Tim Hawkesworth
Anneliese Taylor
Chloe Stokes
Bethany Crook
