Made with Chester Zoo

Abi Clarke is launching a new podcast in which she learns what it takes to be a zookeeper.

The six episodes of Zookeeper In Training was made with Chester Zoo to showcase its conservation work.

In the first episode out today, the comedian – who has more than two million followers across her social media profile – meets rare giraffes, learns to look after endangered giant otters and provides commentary on the zookeepers moving more than 100 flamingos.

She said: ‘I’m having the best time hosting the podcast. As an animal lover, it’s a privilege to have such unique access to Chester Zoo and meet so many rare and precious animals. As you’ll hear, I really get stuck in.'

Vicky Ashdown, audio-visual manager at Chester Zoo said the podcast would ‘give a whole new insight into the workings of this extraordinary place and the incredibly passionate people who make it tick’, adding: ‘This is a very different kind of zoo audio documentary, and we can’t wait for people to hear it.’

The podcast is being made by production company Crowd, where producer Vicky Wright said: ‘Making this podcast has been a new way of working for us, as it has largely been recorded in the zoo around the animals — not a studio. 

‘We’re recording face to face with a sloth, just a few steps away from a crocodile, and surrounded by hundreds of birds. Navigating these unpredictable animals has been one of my most fun challenges since starting in podcasting.’

Published: 24 Jun 2025