You could support wildcats on their journey to life in the wild!

Saving Wildcats is looking for a new volunteer to support the partnership's ex-situ animal management team, based at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland‘s Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig.

We are looking for an individual to assist the animal management team with activities related to animal husbandry, maintenance of key equipment, food stores organisation, food preparation, animal observations and enclosure refurbishing. The animal support placement provides the opportunity to shadow and learn from experienced keepers directly and provide support within our Conservation Breeding for Release Centre (CBRC). 

The volunteer’s workload will be reviewed daily, and additional responsibilities may be given such as the opportunity to be trained in CCTV use and data collection. This role does not include any fieldwork or 'hands on' work with wildcats. 

The successful candidate will be given the opportunity to contribute directly towards conservation efforts for the critically endangered wildcat in Scotland, as part of the RZSS Saving Wildcats project team. You will learn about the conservation issues affecting wildcats and the actions being taken to prevent their extinction, including the careful breeding and extensive preparation that occurs in the project’s conservation breeding for release centre for wildcats. You will gain practical experience working within a zoo environment, learning how to manage animals in a conservation breeding for release centre by supporting the Saving Wildcats animal team.  

We're looking for an enthusiastic individual with an interest in wildcats and species restorations, comfortable with outdoor working, good practical abilities and a desire to learn animal management skills and approaches.

This role would suit someone wanting to gain a career in zoo animal management. Interested in this role? Find out more.