Two of our Zoo Husbandry and Management Programmes Alumni have secured fascinating jobs at Chessington Zoo after completing work experience with the zoo as part of their studies at Hadlow College. Scott Nowers started working at the zoo as a Mammals Keeper & Primary Primate Keeper in March 2022, working with Tigers, Lions and Gorillas just to name a few. Additionally, Lucy Bennett joined the Chessington team alongside Scott in September 2022 as an Animal Presentations Keeper/Sea Lion Trainer, working closely with three sea lions in particular.
Scott’s favourite part of the job is the different opportunities that present themselves every day. In the 10 months Scott has been employed with Chessington, he’s attended conferences, become a primary keeper for primates at Chessington, founded a research committee, taken place in animal moves and got Chessington’s first ever ECG reading from a Western Lowland Gorilla! Whereas Lucy has enjoyed getting to know the sealions in depth, everything from their personality and basic behaviours to how to manage their daily routine to match their mood!
However, they have both experienced challenges as we all do on the job. Lucy was faced with a very young sealion who came to Chessington Zoo with no behaviours. So, she and her team have had to work with him from complete scratch basically teaching him manners and basic behaviours and healthcare check behaviours. Lucy expressed that the skills she learnt at Hadlow College, particularly how to overcome challenges when training a new animal, were extremely helpful in this situation. Scott also noted that there are many challenges to overcome but they left Hadlow College feeling prepared for all aspects of zookeeping.
Scott Nowers said, ‘Chessington has been instrumental in providing me with bountiful opportunity whilst helping me to grow as a person. Our work culture is one of hard work, fun and supporting each other. I’m proud to be a Chessington zookeeper. Also, Hadlow provided me with a broad knowledge of how it really is in industry!’
Lucy Bennett said, ‘Working at Chessington has been such a great eye opener into the world of zoo work, there’s tons of opportunities and learning experiences to be part of. Furthermore, Hadlow College is really lovely, I met great knowledgeable teachers high up in their fields and made a lot of connections through my classmates and staff members.’
