Meet our Keepers

We're very lucky to have a dedicated and experienced team of animal keepers here at Tapnell Farm.

Lucy

ROLE: HEAD KEEPER (Since 2019, animal keeper 2016-2019)

FAVOURITE ANIMAL: ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN

What does your role involve?

My role involves many factors from ensuring the animals needs are met fully, the keeper team are happy and managed. As well as this, I help drive new projects, from new animals, animal activities, signage and even enclosure set ups. There is always more we can do, so every year we aspire to provide more for our animals and customers. Along with the care of the animals comes the paperwork ensuring our very important Zoo Licence is up to date.

What is your favourite part of working at Tapnell Farm?

My favourite thing about working at Tapnell farm is working alongside dedicated animal lovers that everyday do their upmost to ensure our animals have the best of what we can provide them. I really enjoy coming up with new ideas, listening to my team’s ideas and helping them create what they envision.

Working with farm, pet and some exotics keeps me on my toes, which means learning something new every day. Farm animals like goats are one of favourites as they are so affectionate and you can really get to know them, I am a real sucker for Jar Jar our Nubian goat so do come and say hello to him and all our animals.

How did your animal career begin?

My love of animals was from a young age, a family background of farming and just having pets throughout my whole life is where it all began. I went down other paths before settling for animals at the Isle of Wight college studying Animal Care and the onto to further studies of Animal Management. Along with my studies, I volunteered my time in animal job roles at various places whilst working a parttime job. This is when I knew I didn’t want to do anything else.

In 2016 Tapnell Farm opened their doors and I applied straight away! I was employed as a Farm Park Assistant with the chance to help the Animal Keepers from time to time, this is when I was fortunate enough to progress to a full time Animal Keeper and in 2019, I was promoted to a Head Keeper working alongside Tara Hayter.

I am now lucky enough to say I work in a job that I absolutely love and dedicate most of my time, being an animal keeper is certainly a lifestyle. It is such a rewarding job, but it doesn’t go without its challenges and although it’s based on routine, animals throw many things at us daily keeping the job challenging.

My career has really only just begun, and I cannot wait to drive more fun and exciting things with the help of my amazing team at Tapnell Farm, so watch this space!

Tara

ROLE: HEAD KEEPER (Since 2016)

FAVOURITE ANIMAL: WHALE

What does your role involve?

As Head Keeper, I am responsible for the overall care of the Animals we look after as well as the amazing team of animal Keepers we have here! My role also involves the task of keeping animal health records up to date, providing health care plans for all the animals as well as all the paperwork that comes with having a Zoo Licence!

What’s your favourite Part about working at Tapnell Farm as an Animal Keeper?

My favourite part about being an animal Keeper is simply having the chance to look after such amazing animals which rely on us to provide them with the daily care that they need. All our animals are extremely friendly and love the interaction with people particularly our Goats, which makes our job so entertaining, enjoyable, and worthwhile!

How did your animal career begin?

My first experience of working with Animals began when I was studying Animal Care at the Isle of Wight College and secured a work experience placement at the Rare Breeds Park on the Island. My love for working so closely with a range of animals from mischievous Meerkats to hand rearing a Soay Lamb grew and I knew then that working with these amazing animals in the outdoors was what I wanted to do!

After completing BSc Animal Science degree at Plymouth University, I then came back to the Island and was fortunate enough to become a Keeper at Seaview Wildlife Encounter, a family run wildlife park home to Wallabies, Penguins, Pelicans, and lots of free roaming Ducks! I continued to grow my love for wildlife and animals here for 10 years until unfortunately the park closed it doors for good.

Although this was deeply saddening for the Keepers and all the visitors, all was not lost and thankfully this is where our Tapnell Farm Park journey began in 2016!

Some of the animals including the Wallabies, Meerkats, Donkeys, Baby doll Sheep, Pot Bellied Pigs and Alpacas were rehomed here at Tapnell Farm and I was over the moon when I was offered the chance to continue my role as Head Keeper and have a part in developing the Farm Park into a family friendly attraction as it is today!

Mike

NAME: MIKE

ROLE: ANIMAL KEEPER (Since 2016)

FAVOURITE ANIMAL: PANGOLIN

What does your role involve?

Being an Animal Keeper that doesn’t specialise in a certain area, my role is quite varied, and so I get to work with all the animals we have at Tapnell. Main duties include feeding, cleaning out enclosures and ensuring our animals stay fit and healthy. As I have a keen interest in exotic animals I am “in charge” of our Bugs and Beasties area.

What’s your favourite part of working at Tapnell farm?
My favourite part is being able to build a bond with our animals and give them the best life possible. And for some reason I also love raking wallaby poo in the summer sun!

How did your animal career begin?
I grew up on a dairy farm on the Island, that also had geese, sheep and chickens so have been around and working with animals my whole life. I went travelling in 2009 and after I came back I completed an animal care and management course and an exotic animal care course. After achieving these I volunteered at Amazon World for just over a year whilst also having another full time job, and then applied for an temporary Animal Keeper position at Tapnell Farm in June 2016. The role was only meant to be for the summer holidays, but luckily I was kept on and have been here ever since.

Simone

NAME: SIMONE

ROLE: ANIMAL KEEPER (Since 2017)

FAVOURITE ANIMAL: FANCY RAT

What does your role involve?

I am responsible for the health and well-being of all our animals at Tapnell Farm Park. My role includes; cleaning their enclosures, food preparation, feeding, medicating when needed, providing the animals with appropriate enrichment, animal observations regarding their health and behaviour, as well as educating our customers during our daily activities.

What’s your favourite part about working at Tapnell Farm as an Animal Keeper?

My favourite part about being an Animal Keeper is having the opportunity to look after such a wonderful array of animals that are all so interesting and diverse. They rely on us to provide them with daily care, no matter the weather. It's very rewarding and you're always learning something new!

How did your animal career begin?

I began working at Tapnell Farm Park in 2016 as a Cafe Assistant. I had just graduated from Falmouth University, studying Dance and Performance - the Animal Keepers asked if I could help out, knowing I had a qualification in Animal Management. Despite the sudden change of direction, I fell in love with the challenges of the job through hands on experience and I connected with the dedicated and hard-working keeper team.

Jack

NAME: JACK

ROLE: ANIMAL KEEPER (Since 2020)

FAVOURITE ANIMAL: WOLVES

What does your role involve?

I look after many animals at Tapnell Farm Park alongside my keeper team, some of which are wallabies, meerkats, donkeys, pigs, and lots of goats! This includes making sure that they are happy and healthy by preparing their food and enrichment, grooming them, giving them any medication that they might need, and cleaning out their beds. Additionally, being an animal keeper involves being involved in and leading various events at Tapnell farm Park with the animals, such as various talks, feeds, tours, and shows.

What’s your favourite part about working at Tapnell Farm as an animal keeper?

It is hard to pick one favourite part about being an animal keeper, but I enjoy walking our Donkeys (Tom and Leo) and feeding our wallabies. I also love the excitement that comes with the anticipation of a new animal arriving, either from being born here at Tapnell, or received from elsewhere. I like to talk to people about all of our animals too, so I’m sorry if I end up rambling to you!

How did your animal career begin?

I began working with animals here at Tapnell Farm Park. I originally started working as part of the Front of House team for three years and I enjoyed it very much. I was then asked to help the keeper team during the winter lockdown, and it didn’t take long for me to develop a passion for the role. I was then extremely lucky to be offered a full-time job with the keepers! I was excited to have received such a fantastic opportunity and grateful for all the support and guidance I have received from my team. Since then, I have gained a lot of experience and knowledge in working and caring for animals, something I never thought I would end up achieving!