Big cat keeper!

Deputy head carnivore keeper Marc Fox tells us what it takes to be a look after the big cats at Marwell Zoo, in Hampshire

NG Kids: How did you get into working with animals?
Marc Fox: I gained experience working with animals while I was at agricultural college. I worked at a dog kennel, I've worked as a vet's assistant, in a pet shop and had some experience on a farm. When you start college all you know is that you want to work with animals and it's not until you've really experienced doing it that you know exactly what you want to do. Now I look after the carnivores – everything from meerkats to tigers.

NGK: What's your average day like?
Marc: I start at 8am and go around checking all the animals and I feed them. I check to see if any maintenance needs doing in the enclosures or if they need cleaning. We have around a 10-hour day.

NGK: Have you had any dangerous moments?
Marc: Not really. We don't take risks with the big cats. We know what we mustn't do and how close we can get. The most dangerous time is when we have to catch an animal for the vet, or move them somewhere, but we have our procedures and it’s all about minimizing risks with the way we handle them.

NGK: So what's your favourite animal at the zoo?
Marc: I love the tigers! But it’s pretty close between all the big cats. Snow leopards are extra special because of how rare they are – it's a real honour to be able to look after them.

NGK: Do you feel nervous having that responsibility, since there are so few of them?
Marc: Yes, it is a huge responsibility, as these are some of the rarest animals in the world, but we just do the best we can to make sure they are happy and have the right conditions to breed.

NGK: What would you say to people who think that big cats should be living in the wild and not a zoo?
Marc: Well, I'd say there's a reason why these amazing animals are endangered and that’s because, sadly, at the moment, the wild isn't a safe place. So zoos are important in protecting species that would otherwise be extinct.

NGK: How can our readers help?
Marc: People need to know that these animals are in danger and why, so NG Kids readers can help by letting people know why some big cats are in danger. It's because trees are being chopped down where they live and they are being hunted for fur and for use in oriental medicines. Showing you care about the leopards will make a BIG difference!

Click on www.marwell.org.uk to find out more about Marwell Zoo and its conservation programme