Un·e Chef·fe Soigneur·se Eléphants

ppPairi Daiza is much more than a Park: it is The Garden of Worlds. Every day, thousands of visitors come here to experience something truly unique. Animals, nature, architecture, human cultures… everything comes together here. But what truly makes the difference is our people, who are committed to keeping this living heart beating. /ppToday, we are looking for an exceptional individual to join and strengthen our bZoological Department /b. /ppPairi Daiza has the largest herd of Asian elephants in Europe, currently 17 animals. Elephants are managed in both free and protected contact management systems. /ppbYour

responsibilities:
/b /pullibSupervision and coordination: /bTo lead and oversee the day to day manage of the elephant department. Management of the team with regards to staff training and development, performance reviews and constructive feedback are critical to the role. /lilibElephant welfare: /bYou ensure that all elephants under your responsibility live in an environment that meets the strictest welfare and safety standards, in both direct contact and protected contact management systems. /lilibBreeding and calf management: /bTo oversee and manage the elephant breeding programme, from hormone monitoring and introductions through to parturition planning and calf training. /lilibHusbandry and care: /bYou maintain high husbandry standards
- foot, skin and dental care, behavioural assessment, enrichment and diet
- and oversee medical follow-up with the veterinary team. /lilibGuest experiences: /bYou oversee elephant and guest interactions, from VIP encounters and feeding sessions to walks outside the enclosure and demonstrations. /lilibTransfers and operations: /bYou coordinate with the senior management team the safe transfer of elephants to and from other institutions. /lilibContinuous improvement: /bYou proactively suggest ways to optimise procedures, the layout of spaces and animal welfare. /lilibHR and administrative management: /bProducing Safe Operating procedures, protocols and risk assessments. /lilibCollaboration and representation: /bYou work closely with all other departments and represent Pairi Daiza at both domestic and international events. /li /ulpbProfile sought: /b /pullibExperience: /bAt least 10 years of direct contact protected contact experience with elephants in a zoological environment, including successfully managing a large team. /lilibTechnical expertise: /bHands-on expertise across the breeding programme (hormone testing, introductions, parturition planning, calf training) and core husbandry areas (foot, skin and dental care, behavioural assessment, enrichment, diet and training), in both direct and protected contact systems. /lilibOperations: /bA track record of coordinating elephant transfers between institutions and safely managing guest experiences such as VIP encounters, feeding sessions, walks outside the enclosure, and demonstrations. /lilibLeadership: /bAn attentive leader and coach who motivates staff, mentors them to a world-class standard, gives fair correction, and handles conflicts with discernment while ensuring planning and administrative follow-up. /lilibKnowledge: /bFamiliar with the EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for Elephants and all relevant health and safety procedures; comfortable representing Pairi Daiza at both domestic and international level. /lilibLanguages: /bFluent in English, with a good command of French; Dutch is an asset. /liliKnowledge of elephant facilities and design, based on previous planning and construction experience. /liliKnowledge of current conservation topics related to elephants. /liliWe offer you a unique and inspiring working environment at the heart of our Zoological Department, where every day brings new and enriching discoveries. /liliYou will have the opportunity to contribute to the administrative management of our team and our animals, playing a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of our department. /li /ulpNumber of hours per week /ppFull time /ppJob location /ph3About us /h3pPairi Daiza is an unrivalled zoological garden, whether as a day-trip destination or as a holiday destination. /ppNearly 2.3 million people visit Pairi Daiza every year. Spanning 75 hectares, Pairi Daiza captures the beauty of the landscape while evoking the spirituality of its peoples. The enchanted Animal Kingdom is home to over 7,500 animals of 800 species, including 5 giant pandas and 20 elephants. But also thousands of rare plants and stones, as well as authentic buildings and handicrafts. /ppThe combination of authentic buildings, flora and fauna immerses visitors in China, Indonesia, Benin, Togo, Antarctica, Australia, Northern Europe and Canada. These worlds have been recreated with respect for the arts and crafts of these regions and civilizations. /ppPairi Daiza is a committed company that takes concrete action to protect and conserve species. Outside its walls, the Pairi Paiza Foundation is very active in favor of en