Blog: Meet the Keeper - Ian Nock

Today is International Men's Day, and first in our blogs from the membership is Ian from West Midlands Safari Park, introducing his incredible career:

My name is Ian, and some might say changing your career at the age of 28 was a bonkers idea. Nevertheless, in February 2008 I joined West Midlands Safari Park (WMSP) as a seasonal keeper and said goodbye to my job as a landscape operative for the council. I completed one season on the hoof stock section and had my contract extended over the winter. My first day was working with the white rhinos and I was hooked from the start.

I was given a permanent contract in November 2009 and from there I have gone on to complete my Diploma in Management of Zoo Animal and Aquariums, have progressed to become a senior keeper in African hoof stock and in April 2019 I was proud to become Deputy Head Keeper of Ungulates. During my time at WMSP I have been a part of some amazing experiences including animal births, new arrivals, and times when animals have moved to new collections. I can honestly say that within this career I am always learning, and I think that is what is a big part of the job, being so interesting. Not to mention the 28 different species of animals I work with currently, although the white rhinos still hold a special place in my heart.

A key standout moment in my career would probably be assisting with harvesting eggs from two of our Southern white rhino females as part of the ongoing research into bringing back the Northern white rhino from the brink of extinction.

- Ian Nock, Deputy Head African Ungulates

All blogs reflect the views of their author and are not necessarily a reflection of BIAZA's positions