Our amazing volunteers
Posted 3 Jun 2025
RZSS volunteers contribute to the biodiversity of our parks, prepare food for the animals and, vitally, help visitors to connect with nature. We recently caught up with two of our volunteers, Joan and James, to hear about their experiences volunteering with RZSS!
Volunteer Joan Stewart is thrilled to be part of the pack at Edinburgh Zoo.
"I've always been passionate about animal welfare and conservation, and have volunteered for a number of animal charities. I started volunteering at the zoo in summer 2022, not long after moving to Edinburgh. One of the big pluses of volunteering here is the range of things you get involved with. I enjoy interacting with visitors of all kinds and meeting new people. It's sparked my hunger to do and understand even more, and has given me an even greater sense of connection with animals.
"What's attractive about volunteering here is the flexibility - you're not tied to a set number of hours or particular days. I'm able to juggle it with my family commitments and volunteering elsewhere. As volunteers we are well looked after. I feel like I've found my tribe... and a great fit for my lifestyle and interests."
Student James Cubey, whose sights are set on a zoo career, received the RZSS Young Conservationist of the Year Award for his voluntary work.
"I enjoyed being part of CAT, the Conservation Action Team, as a member and then as a youth leader. I wanted to continue this learning experience, so I stayed on as a volunteer.
"My long-term goal is to work in a zoo environment. I enjoy interacting with visitors and members of CAT, learning more about the conservation and research work of the zoo, and being part of a small team that makes a difference.
"Thanks to my experiences as a volunteer, I successfully applied for the discovery ambassador seasonal post at Highland Wildlife Park. It's an enjoyable role in the company of like-minded people.
"Volunteering has helped improve my knowledge of animals and the contribution of zoos to conservation and animal welfare. It’s also helped me improve my communication skills, especially public speaking!
