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.
Angela has actually lived on the park site 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 agricultural 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.
About two years ago, she took over as head of wildlife operations from Bob Lawrence, who has recently retired from the post.
Angela's whole life is dedicated to animals and at home she keeps goats, a cockatoo, dogs and hens.
She said: "I joined the park in Pets Corner and never left.
"And I suppose I felt that I had found my forte.
"Every day is different and all the time I have been here there has never been a day when I did not want to go to work.
"I still get excited about the animals and their antics.
"It's more than a job, it's a way of life.
"During my time at the park I have hand-reared many animals and kept wallabies in pouches which I carried around with me.
"But my favourites are the giraffes because I have worked very closely with them.
"I also believe that the animals definitely know the keepers and their green uniforms.
"We are definitely regarded as part of their families."
"Although I left agricultural college to stay on at the park I do believe it is important to study and gain a scientific background to get to the top." She has taken her own advice and gone on to study for an Open University science degree, a Zoo Animal Management course and a degree in zoo resource management.
Angela's 19-year-old daughter, Shannon, seems to be following in her mother's footsteps and works in the cashier's office at the park while studying hard for an Open University degree course.
Angela said: "At the moment we are expecting to be busy with the Santa Safari.
"And I am looking forward to keeping readers up-to-date with what is happening at the park."
