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It happened to me…‘I became a lion keeper’

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Diane Taylor, 26, is an animal trainer from Doncaster. She lives with her fiancé, Marty Hall, 24, an engineer

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When a lion decides to let out a roar, you can’t stop your heart from pounding. Even with a fence between you, the moment a big cat locks eyes and stalks towards you, lean muscles and sandy fur rippling, your legs turn to jelly. I still get that feeling and I’ve been working with them for three years!

As a teenager, I thought I’d end up sitting in an office, wearing a smart dress and heels. I never imagined I’d have a job that involved sporting a khaki, uniform and hiking boots, and throwing hunks of raw meat to wild beasts. And it all happened by accident!

I left school at 16 and drifted through a few different jobs before ending up as a receptionist at a riding school. But then in 2009, the business was bought by Yorkshire Wildlife Park, who planned to turn it into a petting zoo. I was asked if I wanted to stay on and, with no other job offers on the horizon, I agreed.

A small team ran the park, and after a few weeks I was asked if I would consider helping out with the animals, feeding and mucking out the pigs and goats. I’d always loved animals, so didn’t mind at all.

Then in February 2010, the park expanded and took on 13 rescued lions from a Romanian zoo. I was given the opportunity to help look after them. Although I was a bit nervous, I jumped at the chance.

The day they arrived, we gathered to watch the lorry carrying their crates towards our new lion house. I caught a quick glimpse of Julie, a three-year-old African lion, and felt scared and excited. As each animal, scrawny and mangy from malnutrition, was coaxed into their home – a brick building with five pens and a nine-acre paddock – I was stunned by their size. Our biggest lion, Cezar, weighs 34st 7lb, and that’s considered small. In the wild they can reach over 39st. So when one ran up to the fence and roared at us, it was petrifying.

Diane looks after less-scary animals too

Diane looks after less-scary animals too

That night I went home wondering what I’d got myself into. Most people who work with animals have specialist training. I was just learning on the job. But, the next day when I saw these huge beasts getting to know their new home, too scared to tread on grass as they’d been reared on concrete floors, I decided I’d do whatever it took to help them settle in. Now, although a roar can still send a shiver down my spine, I love every minute looking after our lions.

As cuddly as they look, I’m aware that they are dangerous killers, so treat them with the respect they deserve. Safety is paramount and there’s always a fence between us. We don’t touch them, but train them to follow orders from a distance, using meat as an incentive. If they stand on the scales to be weighed, they get a treat thrown in. It’s like teaching a dog, only a really big one!

Every morning, we drive or walk around the paddock checking the perimeter fences while they’re still in their pens, and pick up lion muck before letting them out. It’s not always pleasant – the stench of lion wee will clear any blocked nose! But the good bits – being outdoors and working with amazing creatures – make up for it.

When I tell people what I do for a living, they never believe me. I’m known for my love of manicures and fake tan, so picturing me picking up lion poo isn’t always easy. But forget high heels and make-up, I’m happiest in my khakis hanging out with the big cats.

Btw

In the wild, the lifespan of African lions is approximately 15 years, however in captivity it can be as long as 30 years.

To work as a keeper at London Zoo, you need at least five good GCSEs and a minimum of one A level.
Tell us! Do you have an experience to share? Email Ithappened@fabulousmag.co.uk

As told to: Claie Wilson Photography: Claire Wood Hair & make-up: Erik Swinn

Filed under: Features, Magazine Tagged: It happened to me, lion keeper, real life, zoo

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