Bringing Learning To Life
The Human Team
Set up by professional Zoo Keepers who met while working at Tropical Wings Zoo. After its very sad closure in December of 2017, Exotic Explorers was set up to continue to spread passion for animal welfare and education.
Exotic Explorers is a limited company registered with companies house. We hold public liability insurance with £5million of cover. We hold an Animal Activities Licence (25/00013/LIANI 5 star), which from the 1st April 2019 is a legal requirement under the Animal Welfare Act (licensing of activities involving animals, England Regulations 2018).
All of our team are DBS checked and first aid trained. We have no animals that require a DWA (Dangerous Wild Animal Licence) and all our animals have their appropriate paperwork where necessary, A10 Certificates under CITES (Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species).
The company has over 20 years of professional animal care experience as well as years of personal animal keeping. We have a wealth of knowledge and enjoy nothing more than passing on our experiences to others and inspiring a new generation to love and respect our wonderful natural world.
Exotic Explorers believes that meaningful education begins with compassion. By ensuring our animals live healthy, enriched, and respectful lives, we can authentically advocate for the protection and appreciation of wildlife everywhere.
Ben
Founding Director
Ben has had a lifelong love of animals, with his passion beginning at the age of seven when he brought home his first hamster. That early curiosity grew into a career dedicated to animal care, education and conservation.
He holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Veterinary Science from the Royal Veterinary College and has gained extensive experience across the animal sector. Over the years, Ben has worked as a Store and Livestock Manager at a pet company, an Exotic Animal Keeper and Presenter at animal sanctuaries, and a Tropical, Mammal and Bird Keeper in zoological institutions.
At Tropical Wings Zoo, Ben served as a Senior Bird Keeper, where he especially enjoyed training and presenting animals to captivated audiences. His main areas of expertise include birds, reptiles and invertebrates.
Through Exotic Explorers, Ben aims to inspire people of all ages to discover how truly amazing animals are, while promoting education, empathy and respect for the natural world.
Nathan
Senior Animal Carer & Presenter
Nathan has grown up surrounded by the Scouting community, with most of his family actively involved. Now a Scout and Explorer Leader himself, he has developed outstanding people skills and a calm, confident presence that make him a valuable member of the Exotic Explorers team.
A lifelong animal lover and outdoor enthusiast, Nathan joined the team to pursue his passion for working with animals. At home, he cares for an impressive collection of pets, including three cats, two Giant Geckos, False Tomato Frogs, Milk Frogs and a pond full of Koi carp and goldfish.
With his background in practical building skills, studied during college, Nathan has been instrumental in maintaining and improving animal enclosures. Since joining Exotic Explorers, his knowledge and confidence have grown immensely, and he now takes the lead in running educational events and presentations.
Carol
Senior Animal Carer & Presenter
Carol is an invaluable member of the Exotic Explorers team, spending much of her time preparing meals for both the animal and human teams. She plays a key role in helping to socialise our animals and prepare them for a busy life of educational visits and public experiences.
A confident presenter with a wealth of animal knowledge, Carol brings warmth and enthusiasm to every event. As Ben’s mum, she has been a driving force behind Exotic Explorers from the very beginning—encouraging Ben’s passion for animals and inspiring the creation of the business itself.
Amy
Part-Time Animal Carer & Presenter
Amy first joined Exotic Explorers as a volunteer and quickly proved herself to be an invaluable part of the team. Passionate about animal welfare and training, she now plays an active role in developing and maintaining our animals’ training routines.
She studied Applied Sciences at college and is currently working towards her BSc in Animal Management. At home, Amy cares for her beloved house rabbits—who enjoy a life of luxury—and her family cat.
With a calm and compassionate nature, Amy has a special interest in the therapeutic benefits of animal interaction. During her time working in a local care home, she often brought her rabbits along to provide comfort and joy to residents—something that reflects the kindness she brings to everything she does.
Brian
Animal Carer & Maintenance
Brian is an invaluable member of the Exotic Explorers team, dedicating much of his time to caring for the animals and maintaining their enclosures. His practical skills and reliability make him a huge asset behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
As Ben’s dad, Brian has always supported his animal journey and shares his passion for providing the very best care for every creature in the collection. His hard work and quiet dedication play a vital role in keeping both the animals and their homes in top condition.
Julie
Lead Volunteer
Julie is a huge help to the Exotic Explorers team and a true natural when it comes to working with animals. She has always had a passion for animal care and often says she wishes she’d been able to pursue a career with animals earlier in life.
With a strong background in horses, Julie holds qualifications in riding and stable management and continues to have a deep love for all things equine. She’s also a qualified dog trainer—that’s actually how she first met Ben, while helping to train his Weimaraner, Sanza.
Julie loves getting her “animal fix” when volunteering at events and is a valued, upbeat presence wherever she goes. At home, she shares her life with an eclectic mix of pets, including cockatiels, rabbits, a tarantula, and her Royal Python, Bowie.
Volunteers
At Exotic Explorers, we’re incredibly lucky to have a dedicated team of volunteers who help keep everything running smoothly — from supporting our animal displays to lending a hand with cleaning, maintenance, and day-to-day care.
We occasionally open up new volunteer opportunities and are always excited to hear from people who share our passion for wildlife education. If you’re interested in getting involved, let us know, and we’ll be in touch with more information!
Puri
Training Consultant
Puri is a former member of the Exotic Explorers team, having worked as an Animal Trainer and Presenter for several years. She has since moved on to create her new animal training business called Creature Coaching, focusing on training dogs, birds and exotics.
Creature Coaching
1 Kensington Road
Pilgrim's Hatch
Brentwood
Essex
CM15 9LG
Ben: 07877 701461
Email: info@exoticexplorers.co.uk
