Simon Brown

Exotic Fauna Keeper, Taronga Zoo

What animals do you work with?

Ungulates (Hoofed animals)

How long have you been working as a zookeeper?

Five years at Taronga zoo but eight  years in total

How did you get into zoo keeping as a profession?

I knew that I was destined to work with animals from a very young age. I was fortunate enough to have a home full of creatures from goats, dogs and ferrets to a selection of rodents, birds and even jars full of snails just to name a few. On finishing school I completed my animal studies and worked with a variety of species in the UK , Some time after arriving in Australia I volunteered at Taronga and managed to get the job I applied for.

What do you love most about your job?

Everything…. from working with unique animals and the relationships that you build with them, breeding successes, cleaning up after them (which is plentiful!), never knowing what is going to happen when you arrive at work and also interacting with the visitors on a daily basis…I really do have the best job!

What has been the wildest moment of your career so far?

One would definitely be seeing animals such as Monifa the endangered pygmy hippo being born, and then contributing to her successful rearing.

Also I have travelled twice to the DRC to work with orphaned primates at a rehabilitation centre which certainly is a life-changing experience and definitely has many “wild” moments.