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ZOOKEEPING 101

James Dennis
Conservation
Zoo Design
Zoos
ABMA
Mental Health
Animal Behavior Management Alliance
Education
Zookeeping
Animal Welfare
Lions
Public Engagement
Lighting
Nutrition In Zoos
Californian Sea Lion
Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park
Chester Zoo
Zoo Conservation
Wildlife Conservation
Africa
Beaded Lizard

This is Zookeeping 101, a zoo keeper podcast with aim to inspire and educate the community by getting the inner voice out there of what we actually do and what it truly takes to be a zoo keeper.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes190Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NatureScience

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Artwork for ZOOKEEPING 101

Latest Episodes

The One Hundred and Sixty Eighth episode incoming!!!

We dive into the world of the callitrichids and the amazing small primates which live throughout our collections across the globe.

For this episode Abbi Wheeler from Longleat takes us into the wo... more

The One Hundred and Sixty Seventh episode incoming!!!

We dive into the world of the callitrichids and the amazing small primates which live throughout our collections across the globe.

For this episode Alice Hudson from Jersey Zoo takes us into the... more

What A true honour to continue this year long journey into the world of the Tomaskas and the world of animal husbandry, Lighting consultancy and education.

ZOOKEEPING 101 shares many goals and values that Tomaskas stand for so we are very proud to d... more

The One Hundred and Sixty Six episode incoming!!!

We dive into the world of the callitrichids and the amazing small primates which live throughout our collections across the globe.

For this episode Anna Cowen - Hubbard from Shaldon Wildlife Trust t... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Alan Woodward
Veteran zookeeper with 50+ years in the industry
Former Chester Zoo staff; instructor at Rees Heath College
Episode: Episode 165: Alan Woodward: Legends within the Industry.
Jackie Squires
Zoo nutritionist at Marwell Zoo, part of the animal science team
Marwell Zoo
Episode: Episode 164: Jackie Squires from Marwell Wildlife : Nutrition is a big deal.
Lilian Aronni
Team member involved in consultations and note-taking
Tomaskas Limited
Episode: Tomaskas Partnership Edition: Episode 2: Consultation services with Tomaskas with Thomas Griffiths and Lilian Aronni.
Niamh Randall
Animal nutritionist, Chester Zoo (transitioning to lead keeper at Hogshore Farm and Wildlife Park)
Chester Zoo; Hogshore Farm and Wildlife Park
Episode: Episode 162: Niamh Randall formerly of Chester zoo : Nutrition is a big deal.
Kerry Hunt
Nutritional lead for Sea Life
Sea Life
Episode: Episode 161: Kerry Hunt from Sealife UK: Nutrition is a big deal.
Stevie Sheppard
GUEST: regular on the podcast and a festival participant
Episode: Episode 160: KEEPERFEST 2025 at Jimmys Farm and Wildlife Park: Live Edition.
James Cork
Friend of the podcast and past guest
Episode: Episode 160: KEEPERFEST 2025 at Jimmys Farm and Wildlife Park: Live Edition.
Duncan Fentel
Guest attendee from Rotterdam
Episode: Episode 160: KEEPERFEST 2025 at Jimmys Farm and Wildlife Park: Live Edition.
Sergio Neve
OPel Zoo staff member
Episode: Episode 160: KEEPERFEST 2025 at Jimmys Farm and Wildlife Park: Live Edition.

Host

James Dennis
Host and presenter of the show (consistent across episodes)

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 45 ratings
  • Fascinating

    A great listen even for us non-zookeepers! Fascinating and full of great insights and fun behind-the-scenes stories from some of the best in the business. Highly recommended!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shooternickw
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Incredible podcast

    Just wanted to say thank you so much for this podcast, James. This podcast has played a major role in inspiring me to go back to school, and start volunteering at a wildlife rehab, in the hopes to be a zookeeper one day. I love every episode and all the valuable information it brings. Thank you so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Meeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrr
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great insight into the industry!

    Great podcast for anybody interested in the workings of the zoo & aquarium industry. Full of diverse guests of all ranks and roles with interesting stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    danielclark96
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the mix of field stories and professional development discussions, with a strong emphasis on community and mentorship.
Guests consistently deliver practical, hands-on insights that are immediately useful for daily zookeeping.
The show is valuable for people looking to break into the industry or deepen CPD and networking knowledge.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#185
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#249
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#60
Taiwan/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#92
Hong Kong/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#109
Netherlands/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#195
Denmark/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 117: Ryan Baines: Hidden Gems from Africa in our zoo's: Hyena.
Q: Is a hyena trainable and what are the benefits?
Yes, hyenas are highly trainable due to their curiosity; training focuses on husbandry tasks, building trust, and gentle, consistent cues, with potential for more advanced work like blood draws.
Episode 117: Ryan Baines: Hidden Gems from Africa in our zoo's: Hyena.
Q: Where did it all start?
Ryan explains his path into zookeeping began with Bristol Zoo volunteer work, moving quickly into a keeper role and then pursuing opportunities that built his career across multiple departments and continents.
DEARADH Zú Partnership Edition: Episode 1: Introductory edition to the DEARADH Zú with Jonathan McLoughlin.
Q: Where did the spark for DEARADH Zú come from and how did the company begin?
Jonathan explains that the drive came from a lifelong passion for zoo design, with initial steps including studying landscape architecture in the UK and early experiences with Dublin Zoo and key mentors, which eventually led to the formation of DEARADH Zú during the COVID era.
Episode 133: Adam Davies : The Xenarthra Family: Sloth.
Q: What sizes are we talking about for sloths, from pygmy to Linnaeus?
The Linnaeus two-toed sloth averages 9-11 kilograms, while the pygmy three-toed sloth is about 3-5 kilograms, illustrating substantial size variation within the family.
Episode 133: Adam Davies : The Xenarthra Family: Sloth.
Q: Where should we start? What is there to know about a sloth? What types are they? Are there different ones? Where are they from?
Adam explains there are six species within Xenarthra sloths, differences between two-toed and three-toed varieties, their geographic origins in South America, and their arboreal, rainforest lifestyle.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About ZOOKEEPING 101

What is ZOOKEEPING 101 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, practitioner-focused show that centers on zookeeping as a hands-on profession. Across recent episodes, guests explore CPD and professional development, conference culture, networking, and practical husbandry—from venomous reptiles and beaded lizards to lighting for animal welfare and immersive zoo design. Episodes frequently highlight real-world challenges, career pathways, collaboration across zoos and colleges, and the human side of working in the field, including mental health, community building, and public engagement. The format often blends field reports, case studies, and lessons learned, making it valuable for current staff and aspiring keepers seeking actionable insights and industry context.

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Which podcasts are similar to ZOOKEEPING 101?

These podcasts share a similar audience with ZOOKEEPING 101:

1. The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan
2. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
3. The Rest Is Politics: US
4. The News Agents
5. TED Talks Daily

How many episodes of ZOOKEEPING 101 are there?

ZOOKEEPING 101 launched 3 years ago and published 190 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on ZOOKEEPING 101?

Recent guests on ZOOKEEPING 101 include:

1. Alan Woodward
2. Jackie Squires
3. Lilian Aronni
4. Niamh Randall
5. Kerry Hunt
6. Stevie Sheppard
7. James Cork
8. Duncan Fentel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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