Imagine spending your days surrounded by creatures so rare, they're on the brink of disappearing forever. For one zookeeper, this isn't a fantasy, but a daily reality, and she describes it as nothing short of a profound 'privilege'.
Rhiannon Wolff, a dedicated hoofstock animal keeper at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, finds herself in a truly remarkable position. Her role involves caring for an incredible array of animals that all share one thing in common: hooves! This diverse group ranges from the majestic giraffes and striking zebras to the powerful white rhinos, the unique tapirs, the vibrant red river hogs, and the fascinating Visayan warty pigs.
Among her personal favorites are the Przewalski's horses, a species that holds a special place in her heart. She recently shared the emotional experience of two of these magnificent mares departing the zoo to embark on a journey back to their wild origins. Wolff emphasizes that being an active participant in species conservation is a deeply rewarding and truly "special part of the job."
But here's where it gets fascinating... Wolff admits that while she's "always been very fond of animals," the path to becoming a zookeeper wasn't always clear. Initially, she considered a career as a veterinarian. However, she soon discovered a more specialized avenue: educational programs focused on exotic animals. "I love pets and domestic animals, but also you could do things with these exotic and sometimes endangered animals that really need help with conservation," she explains, highlighting the unique impact she could have.
Her journey to Marwell Zoo involved more than just a passion for animals. After completing a university degree in zoo management, she gained invaluable experience through an unpaid internship at Chester Zoo. This led to a maternity cover position at Marwell in 2020, a role she never imagined would become a permanent fixture. "I moved down in 2020 to do just a maternity cover job and I've never left," she happily recounts.
And this is the part most people miss... A zookeeper's day is far from just feeding and petting. Wolff's routine is a meticulous blend of cleaning enclosures, providing nutritional enrichment to keep the animals stimulated, diligent record keeping, keen observation of animal behavior, faecal collection for health monitoring, ensuring the integrity of fence lines, and specialized training. This training is particularly crucial for large animals. "A rhino is so large, and so are giraffes, so we train them for things like X-rays where they just stand and we do an X-ray and they're awake and they just do it by choice, blood draws, vaccination," she elaborates, showcasing the trust and cooperation built between keeper and animal.
Wolff proudly points out that many of the animals under her care are listed on the IUCN Red List. She specifically mentions the scimitar-horned oryx, a species that was once extinct in the wild. Marwell Zoo played a significant role in their successful reintroduction, a testament to their conservation efforts.
"It's definitely a privilege to work with so many species and it's a bit of a pinch me moment sometimes that you're working with these animals that you know are very elusive or people rarely see them in the wild," she reiterates, underscoring the unique access she has to these incredible creatures.
She also expresses a particular fondness for the okapi, describing them as needing gentle handling but also being remarkably hardy. "It's just a pleasure to work with them," she says.
'Chunky little things'
Returning to her favorites, the Przewalski's horses, Wolff describes them as "very special." While they share some similarities with domestic horses, they are distinctly wild. "They are these shorter, stockier, chunky little things that are very feisty, very hardy because they have to live in a really harsh environment, occasionally," she explains.
It's astonishing to learn that all Przewalski's horses alive today are descendants of just 12 captive individuals, a stark reminder of how close they came to extinction in the wild. "They're really interesting to work with because of how they interact socially," Wolff notes. But here's where it gets controversial... "You do have to be quite careful when you're with them. When they kick off at each other, it can be quite scary and I think if people saw it, they'd be quite shocked." This raw display of wild behavior might challenge some people's idealized notions of zoo animals.
On January 22nd, a significant milestone occurred when two of Marwell's female Przewalski's horses, Shara and Togs, began their journey back to their native Kazakhstan. Wolff shared that they successfully reached Berlin, marking the first leg of their return to the wild. This initiative is a vital part of Marwell's ongoing international efforts to prevent the species' extinction.
"It's bittersweet but it's very cool to be part of that as well because I worked with them from when they were born to when they left, so it's a very special part of the job," she reflects.
Wolff will continue to care for the remaining group of seven female Przewalski's horses at Marwell. There are plans to introduce a stallion, with the hope of increasing the population. "The whole team gets fond of the animals we have, so it is sad when they leave for other zoos or other things. But to be part of the conservation is a really exciting thing that we have to try and remind ourselves," she states.
She finds it "even more special" when the Przewalski's horses actively engage with her. "You're stood next to a wild animal pretty much that's wanting to see what you're doing. It's very cool."
What are your thoughts on the reintroduction of species into the wild? Do you believe zoos play a crucial role in conservation, or do you have reservations? Share your opinions in the comments below!
