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BBC World Service South Asia

The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

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The Conversation: Zookeepers

Magazines & Reviews

Senior Keepers of Primates Laura Hanley and Head of Penguins Shanet Rutgers

01/05/2017 GMT

Zookeepers

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Zookeepers

Two women who look after penguins and primates share their stories.

Two zookeepers, who have turned their love of animals into a career, talk about the patience and passion it takes to do the job well.

What's it like to work closely with animals? Two women in charge of the day-to-day care of penguins and primates reveal the true nature of the job. They tell Kim Chakanetsa why it's best to avoid a penguin's beak, how chimps might respond to a leather jacket, and whether they think wild animals should be kept in captivity at all.

Shanet Rutgers has the delightful job title 'Head of Penguins' at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, South Africa. Shanet first visited the aquarium as a child, and decided straightaway that she wanted to work there. She fondly describes the penguins as 'ridiculous animals' - and says feeding them has made her more considerate about her own diet. Shanet is passionate about the role of zoos and aquariums in educating the public about the natural world.

Laura Hanley is Senior Keeper of Primates at Monarto Zoo in South Australia - one of the largest open-range zoos in the world. The animals are kept in large enclosures, and visitors are driven around the complex in vehicles. Laura is in charge of a troop of eight chimpanzees, each with its own distinct personality. Despite working closely with the chimps, Laura says its important to maintain your distance and keep a respect for the animals. She hopes they can play a role in raising awareness about the plight of chimps in the wild.

(L) Image: Shanet Rutgers, Head of Penguins. Credit: n/a
(R) Image: Laura Hanley, Senior Keepers of Primates. Credit: Nicky Tomkinson

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