New Zoo Director announced

We’re thrilled to introduce a very familiar face as our new Zoo Director.

Our current Zoo Manager, Matthew Lewis, will take the top job almost 36 years to the day since he started here at DZC, following the upcoming retirement of Derek Grove next month.

Matt said: “I’m really proud to have been given this opportunity and to continue what we have achieved here over the last decade.

“I am well aware we have challenges ahead, particularly with rising costs, but there are plenty of plans in the pipeline as we continue our site development programme. I’m excited to get started.”

Matt started at DZC as a 16-year-old trainee bird keeper and over three decades has worked his way up through the ranks.

Outgoing Zoo Director, Derek Grove, said: “Similar to myself, Matt commenced work at DZC as a trainee keeper, undertaking various roles on the animal department over the years and for the past decade he has provided me with a huge amount of support working as the Zoo Manager.

“He has a wide range of experience and has dedicated his working life to DZC, so I am confident that I will be leaving the zoo in safe hands.”