Young animal lovers can compete for the chance to become a junior zookeeper at London Zoo.
The zoo has launched a nationwide competition to win a place on its Junior Zookeeper experience, offering five young people the opportunity to work at the world-famous zoo.
Winners would get the chance to feed animals and clean out their living spaces as part of a bid inspire the next generation of conservationists and zookeepers.
Children aged between 11 and 15 are welcomed to put their zookeeping skills to the test.
The lucky five who win will have the opportunity to live their dreams and spend a morning learning about the exceptional animals at London Zoo.
The Junior Zookeeper experience offers the chance to try out tasks including cleaning out animal habitats, preparing food, and making stimulating enrichment for the diverse animals.
London Zoo's Junior Zookeeper host Joy Hadfield said: "We're passionate about ensuring the next generation are equipped to take care of our planet and its wildlife.
"This competition will give five young animal lovers the chance to win a spot and get hands on at our world-famous zoo, and experience the huge variety of work a zookeeper does."
She added: "Junior Zookeepers are kitted out in zoo uniforms, and get to try their hands at cleaning, feeding, making up enrichment and learning all about the important animals from zoo experts, spending time behind–the- scenes to help take care of some of the 10,000 animals here at London Zoo."
Competition winners will need to be free on Monday, May 27 to carry out their zookeeping duties.
Afterwards, they will be awarded with a certificate of completion, and gain free access to the rest of London Zoo.
Aspiring Junior Zookeepers will be asked specify which animal they would be interested in caring for and why.
Ms Hadfield concluded: "Not only does this experience bring children closer to wildlife, but it also supports ZSL work across the world creating a world where wildlife thrives.
"So, if you think you’ve got what it takes to be a zookeeper, get in touch."
Applications close at midnight on May 12.
For more information, or to apply for one of the five exclusive places, visit www.londonzoo.org/becomeajuniorkeeper.
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