Prue Simmons

Safari Guide
Safari Camp Leader
Chief Investigator for Amphibian Research – Werribee Open Range Zoo
ParkMates Survey Team Coordinator – Victorian National Parks Association

Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Areas of study: Zoology, Ecology

PhD in theoretical solar physics

"I work with amazing zoo animals, research endangered frogs and other wildlife and educate others."

I love working in zoology, as it’s a continual journey of discovery of the amazing animals we share this planet with.  Zoologists don’t just work in zoos - a zoology degree is so adaptable! Using my degree and skills broadly I have worked in many different roles and some amazing locations.  Some highlights? Living in a tent for 6 months at Katherine Gorge in the Northern Territory undertaking wildlife surveys, living in a remote National Park in NW Victoria as a Park Ranger, working on monitoring of flying foxes, quolls, bats, frogs, birds and mammals.

Presently, I have 4 diverse roles, each offering a fantastic experience with a huge variety of animals and people.  I am a Safari Guide and Safari Camp Leader at Werribee Open Range Zoo, taking people on tours through the zoo in our safari buses, up-close to rhinos, monkeys, giraffe and lions on our specialty tours and an overnight camp amongst African animals.  Each day I interact with amazing animals and provide that important educational link to the general public.  In addition, I’m also in charge of Endangered frog research at the zoo, spending many nights catching and micro chipping rare wild Growling Grass Frogs for ongoing monitoring research.  My fourth role involves coordinating a state-wide park survey program called Park Mates for Victorian National Parks Association, providing me with a challenging tasks of volunteer coordination, event management, database and report writing and liaising with park stakeholders.

I chose to study at Monash, as it is a fun, friendly university with state-of-the-art facilities.  I loved learning the theoretical skills in my zoology degree and being in touch with current research opportunities. But to get the great field-based zoology jobs you need to back up your degree with practical skills, networking and create opportunities for yourself.  Do volunteer work, accompany scientists in the field and join Field Naturalist Societies to gain practical skills. Attend talks by researchers and introduce yourself.  Get involved to make yourself known! I made the effort and now get to work with amazing zoo animals, research endangered frogs and other wildlife and educate others.  I recently ventured into the jungles of Borneo where I encountered everything from orang-utan and elephants to snakes and frogs and have been invited back to study orang-utan behaviour in the jungle.  It’s an exciting career but you have to make it happen!