Battersea Park Children's Zoo Keeper Recognised as BIAZA Woman of the Year Runner-Up

Battersea Park Children's Zoo (BPCZ) is thrilled to announce that senior keeper, Lizzy Humphries, has been named a runner-up in the prestigious British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Woman of the Year Awards. This recognition celebrates Lizzy’s exceptional dedication, passion, and significant contributions to animal welfare and conservation.

Lizzy Humphries’ achievement reflects the profound impact she has made on the BPCZ family and the wider zoological community. Her commitment to conservation and welfare is a driving force behind the zoo's mission.

Prior to her career in the zoo world, Lizzy enjoyed a successful career as a solo soprano, performing across the UK and internationally. With a background in classical music, earned through university studies, she established a respected reputation within the music industry. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the arts, Lizzy discovered her other passion for animals and conservation.

Lizzy Humphries stands as a shining example of how individuals from smaller zoos can make substantial and lasting contributions to the broader zoo community. Her dedication to welfare and conservation has been particularly evident in her launch of the #ShareSavvy campaign. This initiative, born from her in-depth research into the detrimental effects of irresponsible social media usage on vulnerable species, has garnered significant attention. Lizzy presented her findings at the 2024 International Otter Survival Fund’s World Otter Day conference and has since collaborated with the IUCN SSC otter specialist group as lead author for new close contact guidelines, set for release shortly.

Since her promotion to senior keeper in early 2022, Lizzy has become an indispensable member of the BPCZ team. She has played a crucial role in training new keepers and volunteers, establishing elevated standards across the animal department. Her expertise in animal training for husbandry and welfare has led to the implementation of a new training programme, empowering all animal keepers to take ownership of specific species’ training. This initiative fosters independence, decision-making skills, and responsibility among younger team members.

“We are incredibly proud of Lizzy and her achievements,” said Jamie Baker, Animal Manager of BPCZ. “Her dedication to animal welfare and conservation, coupled with her innovative approach to training and education, makes her a truly deserving recipient of this recognition. We are incredibly lucky to have Lizzy as a member of the BPCZ family.”

Lizzy said, "Moving from music into animal conservation has been incredibly rewarding and I'm so grateful to Battersea Park Children's Zoo for supporting me in that journey. The keepers are a wonderful team and their passion and dedication to their work inspires me every day. The #ShareSavvy campaign and the new close contact guidelines for the IUCN otter specialist group mark an exciting change in direction for protecting vulnerable species online and I'm so proud to have been a part of that."

Battersea Park Children's Zoo congratulates Lizzy Humphries on this remarkable achievement and acknowledges her invaluable contributions to the zoo and the wider conservation community.