Woman who took temporary summer job at West Midlands Safari Park 40 years ago now in top job
A woman who took on a temporary summer job at West Midland Safari Park is now in one of the top jobs – nearly 40 years after she arrived.
Ensuring the animals are ready to face the challenges of the harsh winter months is the job of Angela Potter, the head of wildlife operations, who will be joining the park's Talking Point team.
Angela has actually lived on the park site, south of Bridgnorth, for 25 years and can be the first to be called out if there are any problems. She arrived for a six-week summer job in the Pets Corner area in 1979 and decided to stay and not return to college.
Since then she has been a keeper in the reserves and gone up the ranks to become head keeper, responsible for the hoof stock, and, about two years ago, took over as head of wildlife operations from Bob Lawrence who has recently retired.
Angela's whole life is dedicated to animals and at home she keeps goats, a cockatoo, dogs and hens. She said: "
I still get excited about the animals and their antics.It's more than a job, it's a way of life."
Angela has studied for an Open University science degree, a Zoo Animal Management course and a degree in zoo resource management.
