About us

 

Julie and Simon have both been working in animal-related roles for the last 30 years.

 

Both are former-keepers at Paignton Zoo, Julie creating and running the parrot show and Simon working on the Mammal team.  

 

Simon started Animal Activity in 2006 after being made redundant from his teaching post at a college in Dawlish.

 

Before that he helped set up the animal care unit at Bicton College, where he worked for 10 years, teaching animal handling and husbandry.

 

Simon says,"I enjoyed being a zoo keeper and looking after most of the animals on the mammal team. The elephants were my favourites, but I didn't really like working with the chimps!"

 

"My first job was as a pet shop boy at Animal Magic in Church Street, Paignton, where I spent Saturdays bagging up hay and straw. I progressed to working full-time at Animal Magic, where I ran the aquatic department."

 



Julie left school at 16 and went to Colchester Zoo.

While at the Zoo she meet Reg and Margaret Bloom of Parrot and Sealion Productions. Julie worked for the Blooms for 8 years, training sea lions and parrots to do shows for the public.


Julie also worked on TV adverts and Hollywood movies involving many different types of birds. 


Julie started working at Paignton Zoo with the production company, to do the Feathered Feats Parrot show. After four seasons, Julie moved on, working as Farm Manager at Crealy Adventure Park, near Exeter.   


Julie has been using her knowledge and experience to help and improved Animal Activity's shows, since 2012.