Work experience placements are fully booked until September 2024. We are therefore, not accepting applications at this time.
Work Experience Placements
If you would like to apply for a work experience placement please read the details below carefully. If you fulfil the criteria below and wish to apply for a placement, please complete the application form.
Work Experience Criteria
All applicants must be 16 years old or over and demonstrate that they have an interest in working with animals as a career.
School Pupils
Applicants who attend school and are over the age of 16 will only be permitted to work on the Children’s Farm Section at the Wildlife Park. You will be working alongside the Farm Keeper to care for a range of domestic livestock. Applications are accepted throughout the year and you will be invited to the Park for an interview.
Animal Management Students / University Students
Applicants over the age of 16 who are studying Animal Management at College or a related subject at University can apply to work on one of the three animal sections at the Park (please see details below). Applicants must be studying an animal related course (level 2 / Level 3 Animal Management, Degree in a related subject, e.g. Zoology, Animal Science, Animal Behaviour). Whilst every effort will be made to allow you to work on your choice of section, demand for placements is high and this may not always be possible. Placements blocks must be a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 4 weeks duration Monday to Friday. Applications are accepted throughout the year and you will be invited to the Park for an interview.
Animal Sections – the animals at the Park are split into 3 sections. Placement students will spend their time working alongside the Keepers on each of the sub-sections that make up each Animal Section. Please include in your application your preference and we will try and match your placement with your preferred choice where possible.
- Herpetology– including reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates
- Bottom Section: Small Mammals, Primates and Birds – lemurs, callitrichids, meerkat, bats, dik-dik, naked mole rat, otters, passerine birds, penguins, birds of prey, pheasants and parrots etc.
- Top Section: Large Mammals – domestic livestock, lake birds, rhino, giraffe, capybara, tapir, zebra, wallaby etc. Please note that work placement students will not be permitted to work with any of the carnivore species at the Park.
Veterinary Students
Applicants studying Veterinary Medicine can apply for placements of 1 to 4 weeks duration on any of the three animal sections. If there is availability, we will accommodate your preferred choice. You will be working alongside the Keepers, caring for the animals. During the placement, students will have the opportunity to observe veterinary procedures (if any) that occur during your time at the Park. Applications are accepted throughout the year and you will be invited to the Park for an interview.
Additional Information
Please note that Cotswold Wildlife Park is situated in a rural location and there is no public transport. Applicants must arrange their own transport or accommodation for the duration of the placement and consider the costs involved with this.