Become a Junior Penguin Keeper
Seeking Junior Penguin Keepers
At Kelly Tarlton's from 26 September
We know you love our penguins! Now you can also meet our incredible penguin keepers, learn how they care for our Gentoos and King penguins, and find out more about these unique animals.
Free activities available from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October for all to discover fasciation facts about the King and Gentoo penguins and the wonderful team who care for them.
On-site activities include a quiz trail for kids to follow through the aquarium, and personal Q&A sessions with the keepers.
Penguin Keeper Q&A
Meet our talented penguin keepers in person, ask the keepers all the tricky questions that you have been wanting to find out about.
Location: Antarctic Ice Adventure
Available: Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October 2020
(Hint: Spot prizes are available for best questions!)
Meet the Keepers
Find out more about our wonderful Penguin Keepers, and find out why they love what they do!
You can visit us during these school holidays and talk to them in person! BOOK NOW
Meet Laura
Laura is the Team Leader of the Penguin Department at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's. She has been a Penguin Keeper for 13 years!
Q: What do I look for when I hire new Penguin Keeper?
A: When I’m looking for a new Penguin Keeper to join our team I look for someone who clearly has a real passion for animals. Obviously it’s quite difficult to get experience working with penguins, but if becoming a penguin keeper is something you’re interested in...
Meet Kristen
Q: When did you realised you wanted to be a penguin keeper / work with animals?
A: I have always know that I wanted to work with animals, when I was little I had about a million toy animals and always nagged my parents to take me to the zoo or aquarium. All through school I would rescue little injured birds and other animals and I always had lots of pets to look after...
Meet Nicky
Q: Which is your favourite penguin?
A: My favourite would have to be Noah. She is a 9 year old Gentoo. She got her name by choosing to hatch while Kelly’s experienced a flood through the building. She’s so sweet and gentle. When I sit on the pool edge during feeding, I call her nickname “No No” and she tottles over to me to get some hand fed spratt. Everyone else has to swim for their fish...
Meet Kiara
Q: Have you ever been pecked by a penguin?
A: Yes, many times! It’s definitely not the worst occupational hazard! The penguins do peck us sometimes just because they’re curious and playful or feeling a bit snacky, but if you’re in their personal space and they don’t like it, they’ll tell you! We have one Gentoo penguin, named Mean Bird (there’s a clue to his personality…) who really does not like it when you clean and scrub around his nest, so he has pecked my forearms many times! But when Mean Bird pecks, he hangs onto you and can leave you with a decent bruise!
Meet Shannon
Q: What is your favourite part of the job?
A: My favourite part about being a penguin keeper is definitely being able to observe the penguins behaviour as they are such fascinating animals. I love watching how their behaviour changes at different times of the year and how they interact with each other. They are super funny animals and always bring a smile to my face.
Downloadable Worksheets
You can be part of our Junior Penguin Club from home. Download these activity sheets and enjoy!
