Emily Richardson

Motivated Zoology graduate (BSc, 2:1) with practical experience in zoo husbandry, wildlife rehabilitation, conservation and animal welfare, supported by current employment as a Seasonal Animal Experience Keeper. Experienced caring for a diverse range of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates while maintaining high standards of husbandry, biosecurity and welfare. Strong communicator with excellent customer service skills developed through both animal care and hospitality roles. Reliable, adaptable and passionate about delivering high standards of animal care while contributing positively to a team. Particularly passionate about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, with experience supporting the care of injured native wildlife and keen to develop leadership responsibilities within a rescue environment.

Volunteer/ Welsh Mountain Zoo                              December 2025- Present

Key responsibilities:

• Assisted in the clean out and feeding of the following hooved species; European Fallow Deer, Przewalski’s horse and the Welsh mountain goat.
• Contributed to the daily husbandry of Eurasian brown bears, including enclosure sanitation and feeding.
• Prepared and portioned whole prey (goat, deer, rabbit) for carnivorous and omnivorous species.
• Assisted with daily animal husbandry, including enclosure cleaning, diet preparation, feeding, and water provision for Red pandas, Meerkats, Asian small-clawed otters, and Margays.
• Assisted with the cleaning and upkeep of the butterfly house to support animal welfare and visitor experience.
• Assisted with daily primate husbandry, including enclosure cleaning, preparation of species-specific diets, and maintenance of fresh water, for the following species: Lar Gibbon, Red-Faced spider monkey, Cotton top tamarin, Ring-Tailed lemur Goeldi’s monkey and Chimpanzees. While adhering to strict biosecurity and PPE protocols to minimise disease transmission.
• Consistently followed enclosure security, safety, and biosecurity protocols, including correct locking procedures, to ensure the safety of animals, staff and visitors.
• Monitored and recorded temperature and humidity across reptile enclosures, completed scheduled feeding routines, and performed daily husbandry for species including Golden-eyed stick insects and Oustalet’s chameleons, including misting, plant replacement, population counts, and health observations.
• Designed and implemented species-specific enrichment programmes to promote natural behaviours, adjusting complexity according to the behavioural needs and abilities of each species.
• Maintained feeder insect colonies by performing routine feeding, enclosure cleaning, and health monitoring to support reptile dietary requirements.
• Monitored the butterfly house during public opening hours, ensuing compliance with visitor guidelines and maintaining animal welfare by preventing handling, food entry and potential escapes
• Assisted with the feeding and enclosure cleaning of Sumatran tiger and snow leopard, observing safe shifting procedures and daily carnivore management practices.
• Implemented olfactory enrichment for the Sumatran tigers by introducing novel scents (e.g. herbs and perfumes) throughout the outdoor enclosure to stimulate natural behaviours.
• Assisted with the feeding and aquatic enclosure maintenance of the Humboldt penguin, including use of underwater vacuum equipment to maintain water quality and hygiene standards.
• Supported the maintenance of the pool system for California sea lion by monitoring and adjusted salinity levels, including manual handling and transport of salt to ensure optimal water conditions.

Volunteer / RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife centre               May 2025- November 2025

Key responsibilities:

• Assisting in the care, feeding and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned UK wildlife, including foxes, hedgehogs, seals, varying species of birds and other small mammals.
• Supporting the creation and implementation of species-specific enrichment to encourage natural behaviours during recovery.
• Cleaned and maintained enclosures, ensuring hygienic and safe living environments in line with animal welfare standards.
• Monitoring animals’ health and behaviour, reporting any concerns to staff
• Assisted in the administration of medication to avian species under staff supervision.

Skills developed:

• Animal handling and care, observational research, teamwork, time management, attention to detail and communication

Volunteer / Natuwa sanctuary, Costa Rica                                               June 2025

Key responsibilities:

• Food preparation and feeding for multiple species including Macaws, Parakeets, Two-toed sloths, Hogs, Spider monkeys, Squirrel monkeys, Capuchins, Marmosets, Geoffroy’s tamarins.
• Cleaned, fed and watered larger mammal and bird species such as Tapirs and Emus
• Created perches for the large Green Macaw enclosure
• Provided enrichment, ice cubes including bananas and other fruits for monkeys, tamales containing seeds and fruits for all the species of bird and tamales containing fruit for monkeys
• Ensured that each enclosure had enough water every morning
• Assisted in the setup of a new cage for a Scarlett Macaw which was being moved out of the clinic ensuring that there were enough perches and enrichment
• Gathered hay for the Jaguar enclosure
• Gathered hay bedding for Tapirs
• Assisted the clinic in feeding juvenile and baby Two-toed sloths

The first week of this trip took place at Zingela Safari and River Company, where their focus was on giraffe conservation. Due to this I was able to get close with giraffes as well as many other species while learning key field skills.

Skills developed

• Camera trapping
• Bird ringing
• Fish tagging
• Creating pitfalls and funnel traps
• Giraffe Id
• River sampling and Id

The second week of this field trip took place at Nambiti Big 5 Reserve where we had learnt a different skill set

Skills developed

• Identification of tracks and signs
• Aardwolf survey
• Priority species management