Healesville Sanctuary is celebrating the amazing work of animal keepers, this International Zookeeper Day Monday 4 October. Meet just one of the of incredibly dedicated and skilled keepers – James Goodridge.
Q: Why did you become a zookeeper?
A: It may sound silly, but I want to save the world by inspiring people to care about animals and our environment. My passion is to shine a spotlight on saving endangered Australian animals, and not just the cute fluffy ones!
Q: Did you always want to be a zookeeper – why?
A: I did not really think being a zookeeper was a possibility. I studied to be a park ranger at first and then decided I really wanted to work with animals, and followed my interest in free flying birds because I find them awe-inspiring.
Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a zookeeper?
A: The most rewarding part of what I do is free flying birds, and seeing the reactions of visitors who have a close encounter. I love the feeling I get when watching birds be birds, especially raptors! I also love teaching people about these wonderful creatures at Healesville Sanctuary’s Spirits of the Sky show.
Q: What is the most challenging/unusual task you have done as a zookeeper at Healesville Sanctuary? A: I would have to say the most challenging part of being a zookeeper is picking up poo, and lots of it.
Q: How did you become a zookeeper? What did you need to study?
A: It was tricky initially to become a zookeeper. I have studied a wide range of topics including Natural Resource Management, Captive Animal Management, Heritage and Interpretive Eco-tourism, and specialist animal training courses.
Q: What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become a zookeeper?
A: I would say go for it. The career path can be difficult and competitive but also incredibly rewarding – you can end up caring for animals many people don’t know anything about, and experience moments in animals’ lives that few people get to see. It is an amazing, privileged position.
Q: Why is Spirit of the Sky such an important part of visiting Healesville Sanctuary? A: The Spirits of the Sky free-flight bird show at Healesville Sanctuary is a fantastic opportunity to educate and inspire thousands of people a year about native animals and their need for habitat, and to empower visitors to take action to ensure a future rich in wildlife.
Q: What is your favourite animal at Healesville Sanctuary and why?
A: I have lots of favourites! But if I had to narrow it down, I’d pick Australia’s largest raptor the Wedge-tailed Eagle because they look fierce (and can be), but our female Magra is incredibly gentle to people she knows. At the other end of the scale, I also really love the smallest raptor, which is our Australian Kestrel named Rusty. Magra is about
3800g in weight, and Rusty is about 150g, so he’s a fast little falcon who keeps me on my toes, while the eagle looks scary but is big and cruisy.
Q: What is a fun fact about these birds, that few people would know?
A: Both birds have a third eyelid known as a nictitating membrane. It is translucent and comes across from the side to act like a blaster shield, to protect the eye when they are hunting prey. Crocodiles have the same thing.
Q: Lastly, what is your hidden talent?
A: I am an incredible baker who makes the best chocolate banoffee pie, and I am a trivia fiend.
