Photo: Sharyn Smart
New Plymouth youngster Ethan Ritchie got to sample his dream job when he took part in Pouakai Zoo’s Encounter Experience over the holidays.
Interacting with the zoo’s blue tongue skinks Bluey and Sky, and its Australian bearded dragons Norbit and Spicktoria, impressed the eight-year-old the most.
“Holding Bluey was the best part of the day. They’re funny because they liked walking all over us.”
Pouakai Zoo’s owners Bart Hartley and Fiona Carson have been running the zoo keeper programme for three years.
“Some children asked if they could spend time helping out at the zoo in the holidays. It’s been really popular,” said Miss Carson.
The zoo offers a half-day “Encounter Experience” for $35 and a full day option for $50.
After a briefing with Miss Carson the five junior zoo keepers in Ethan’s group were ready to be introduced to the zoo’s animals.
And with his “staff” tag hanging around his neck Ethan was eager to get to work.
First Poppet, a 2-and-a-half-year-old capuchin monkey, visited them in a portacom where he climbed all over them, before beginning to pull posters off the wall.
“Poppet was crazy when he jumped on my head,” said Ethan of the mischievous monkey.
The young zoo keepers were also able to feed the zoo’s white tigers Kal, Azra and Anila.
“It was great fun and I can’t wait to do it again,” Ethan said who was doing the zoo keeper experience for the second time.
This article was published in the North Taranaki Midweek on Wednesday August 7, 2013