I have worked as an Animal Keeper at The Scottish Deer Centre, Fife, since January 2011. The Deer Centre is a small, generalist collection comprising:

• Fourteen deer species (ranging from Reeves Muntjac through to Eurasian Elk)
• Canids (Grey Wolves and Red Fox)
• Felids (Northern Lynx and Scottish Wildcats)
• Ursids (Eurasian Brown Bear)
• Mustelids (Asian Short-Clawed Otters)

The Centre has previously been home to two other deer species (Eld's Deer and Roe Deer), Soay Sheep and a Highland Bullock during my time in post. Though my role is primarily as an Animal Keeper - encompassing all aspects of husbandry of all species in the collection - given the size of the collection and small team of only eight members of staff, I also cover education and ranger activities, grounds maintenance, co-ordinate volunteers and groups and support visitor services. 

Whilst I do work with all species within my current zoo, I focus very heavily on our group of five Asian Short-Clawed Otters (Aonyx cinereus), with whom I share strong relationships, and my work with whom will be reflected strongly throughout my portfolio. I am a full member of the IUCN / SSC Otter Specialist Group (OSG) and specialise with both Short-Clawed and Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) on the whole both ex-situ and in-situ, which includes:

• Leading the development and facilitating all aspects of husbandry for the current otter group at the Deer Centre, as well as the Deer Centre's otter education and awareness programmes (including design of interpretation and advising education staff of current priority messages to relay when I am unable to present daily keeper talks), and carrying out reseach with our otter family.
• Carrying out regular otter surveys across three river catchment areas in Fife
• Co-ordinate the Central Scotland Collection Hub for dead otters and arrange their transport to Cardiff University Otter Project (CUOP) for Post Mortem
• Assist CUOP with Post-Mortems wherever possible
• Assist with local conservation initiatives with Mull Otter Group
• Represent the OSG, CUOP, Mull Otter Group, International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) and any other otter conservation groups as requested at local events and awareness sessions
• Organise, co-ordinate and facilitate fundraising drives for IOSF (I am also currently spearheading a fundraising and education campaign at the Deer Centre for the IOSFs 'Year of the Otter 2016'
• Currently establishing Fife Otter Group to encourage local people to become engaged in local otter monitoring and conservation and filling the previous gap in this area. 

My priorities moving forward in my career continue to centre upon my commitments to otter husbandry and conservation, where I will continue to specialise and hopefully gain further experience with other otter species, potentially at other collections. It is my overarching aim to continue to develop the husbandry of the otter group at the Deer Centre, advance my knowledge of the species further and play an increasing role in contributing to the Otter Specialist Group. 

I do however also have wider interests in mustelidae on the whole, and more broadly around mammal and specifically carnivore species. I enjoy the challenges of working in a generalist collection, whilst also having the ability to maintain my specialism, as above. 

Over my time at the Deer Centre I have consistently proven I can apply myself in any circumstances and adapt easily to working with a wide range of mammalian species, many of whom I have had no prior experience with, such as our bears for example. After starting out in a voluntary capacity, my role grew very quickly on account of my adaptability and respect gained from my superiors. I am a highly conscientious, efficient keeper with strong organisational skills and attention to detail. I am fully committed to my role, always taking great pride in my work and am ever-determined to improve upon the husbandry and care I practice to enhance the care and welfare of the animals I am responsible for. 

For the past four years I have, significantly, also been entrusted with overall responsibility for the Deer Centre site whenever our Head Keeper is off-site, staying on the premises at these times. 

Other relevant animal-related experience I have gained includes:

• Assisting the running of Fife Ferret Rescue, care of all ferrets in the rescue and carrying out photography for the charity.
• Working with, training and fostering domestic dogs - including pets, Police Dogs and Assistance Dogs for Canine Partners
• Volunteering with the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd (ongoing, ad-hoc)
• Attending secondment placements e.g. to RZSS Highland Wildlife Park in 2011

Furthermore, I also have a considerable background in the delivery of education inputs to a variety of user groups, having occupied educational roles with a local secondary school from 2009-2012, Canine Partners and the former Fife Constabulary. I have previously worked in roles with the local Deaf Communication Service, and also in Child Protection services with Fife's Social Work Service, both of which has given me additional experience with and appreciation for the specialist needs of vulnerable people and those with sensory impairments, which I carry into my role as a keeper.