Orana - Aaron Gilmore, carnivore keeper
Aaron Gilmore is a carnivore keeper at Orana Wildlife
Park.
Get to know more of the keepers featured in Wild
Vets by clicking here.
What animals do you work with?
Carnivores (lions, tigers, serval cats) and our
giraffes.
How long have you worked as a keeper?
10 years.
Why did you become a keeper?
I did work experience during school at Orana Wildlife
Park and became interested in working with endangered animals.
Following a lot of volunteer work I was offered a full time job at
Orana and I've been here ever since.
Where in the world have you worked as a keeper and what
animals did you work with?
To date, I have only worked in New Zealand though have
been involved in the odd animal transfer overseas.
What is you favourite animal?
Giraffe.
Your funniest/most memorable animal story?
My most memorable story was transferring a Giraffe from
Orana Wildlife Park to Mogo Zoo, Australia, by ship!
What animal would you like to have in your backyard?
Giraffe.
What animal would you most like to see in the wild?
A pride of lions.
Which animal do you relate to the most?
Giraffe.
What do you love most about your job?
Working with endangered animals, being part of managed
captive breeding programmes and the conservation of these awesome
creatures.
What would you change about your job?
Nothing.
If you could make one change to help save endangered
animals what would it be?
Remove the threats they face.
Advice for future keepers?
Set goals and work hard.
